Invasion of mines is systemic failure

The invasion of some large-scale mining companies’ concessions in the country by illegal miners is a reflection and spillover effect of the state’s failure to judiciously manage mineral resources to the benefit of all, Mrs. Hannah Owusu Koranteng-an Associate Executive Director of WACAM, has observed.

She said the growing incursions are the manifestation of a system breakdown in the entire mining industry, thus emboldening people to take the law into their own hands to claim their ‘share of the mining cake’ once the state has botched-up protecting their interest.

“When we have organised corporate bodies and multinational companies who come into the country to mismanage mineral resources to the detriment of local people and regulators look on, then anybody who wants to do something wrong to enjoy the fruits of the industry will be encouraged to do so,” she stated.

Some mining companies have come under attack in recent times, as illegal miners continue to invade their concessions. Companies such as AgloGold Ashanti Obuasi, Owere Mines at Konongo, and Perseus Mining at Ayanfuri have been victims of the growing rebellion by illegal miners.

Industry-watchers say the phenomenon has the tendency to prevent potential investments into the mining industry, as the act affects investor confidence. Subsequently, foreign investors have expressed shock and displeasure at the seeming lack of action by the necessary authorities to curtail advances by illegal miners into the concessions of legitimate mining companies.

In an interview with Business and Financial Times in Sunyani on the sidelines of a sensitisation workshop for media practitioners and residents of mining host communities from the Brong Ahafo and Eastern Regions on responsible mining, Mrs. Koranteng said it has become imperative for the state to demonstrate political will to regulate mining for the admiration all.

“Regulators have not been on top of their job; we should look beyond the notion that community people are invading concessions of organised companies and ascertain other factors pushing them into such acts. We live in a country where people are suspecting and speculating that those who are behind illegal mining can be traced to power sectors; and this must really be a problem of concern.

“If we want to attract investors and do clean business again, then government must do things right. All the investors we have attracted into the sector over the years have not lived up to expectation. That should be the issue of concern now, not attracting any investment that will not contribute significantlyto the country’s development agenda,” she explained.