Illegal miners flushed out of Bui Dam

The Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council (BA-REGSEC) says it has managed to flush out all illegal miners including some West African nationals who were operating within the catchment area of the Bui Hydroelectric Dam; particularly at “Old Dokokyina”, a nearby community.

The area affected by the illicit mining activities (Bui Dam and Bui National Park) is now safe as the situation has been brought under control by BA-REGSEC.

A statement signed by Eric Opoku, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister and Chairman of REGSEC, noted that “what is left to be done is ensure total reclamation of the degraded sites, and filling all the galamsey pits left behind”.

Illegal small-scale mining of alluvial gold along the Black Volta is a long-time phenomenon, even before the construction of the Bui Dam. Others were also manoeuvreing their way into the Bui National Park in search of the precious mineral.

In recent times the menace has intensified, thereby raising alarms of imminent siltation in the Bui Dam reservoir, hence the operation by the Security Council to halt the practice.

The statement wishes to allay fears of the public, assuring that all the national assets in the vicinity are now free from the activities of those miscreants, adding: “The threats posed by the illegal activities of recalcitrant residents and immigrants have been completely neutralised in the national interest.”