Mining Company pollutes river with chemical waste

Amakye-Bari (Ashanti Region) 25 May '99

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima-Nwabiagya, Mr James Adusei Sarkodie, has expressed concern about pollution of River Offin with chemical waste from the operations of AMBA-Nwabiagya, a mining company based at Amakye-Bari in Ashanti.

Waste from the company's gold treatment plant is washed into the river, which serves as a source of drinking water for a number of communities in the Atwima district.

The MP, during an inspection of the mine, was critical about the mine's total disregard for safe environmental practices.

Mr Sarkodie was also not happy that the company has left manholes, some as deep as 30 feet uncovered and in some cases filled by water, which are potential death traps.

The MP expressed indignation at non-payment of compensation to farmers who have lost their farms through the mining activities of the company and asked the management to pay those affected immediately to avoid trouble.

Mr Thomas Ofori Donkor, assembly member for Amakye-Bari, accused AMBA-Nwabiagya of encroaching on lands that are outside its concession area.

He disclosed that the company has started taking away some of its machinery, an indication that it might fold up soon.