Minister calls for community participation in fight against illegal mining.

Akyem Adukrom (E/R), Dec. 23, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has called for community participation in the fight against illegal mining in the East Akim Municipality. He said action being taken by the Regional Security Committee against illegal mining was not aimed at preventing people from working but to ensure that any person or group of persons who wanted to mine in the area undertook the project in a way that would protect the lives of the people now and in the future.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was speaking to the chiefs and people of Akyem Adukrom on Tuesday when he inspected a three-kilometer road being constructed to link Akyem Adukrom and Asikam to the main Kyebi-Asiakwa road. He said when the miners were licensed they would be expected to abide by environmental impact assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency. The miners are also expected to pay taxes to the government, pay royalties out of which the chiefs and people including the District Assembly would benefit.

He said in addition, under their social impact programme the miners are expected to provide amenities to the communities where they are mining. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said under the current situation, the illegal miners just entered the land, mine their gold and wash them with poisonous chemicals into the Birim River, which is also the source of drinking water for many communities along the river and leave the mined areas without reclaiming it.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said some of the chemicals used could cause cancer in the long run and if the communities did not support the RESEC they were those who would suffer in the long run. He appealed to the chiefs to refuse to accept token gifts given them by those illegal miners and support the RESEC to help protect them and their children and ensure that their communities get better deal from any mining project in their areas. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the government had planned to construct the bridge linking Adukrom to Agyapomaa. 23 Dec. 09