Five persons have lost their lives while fifteen others have sustained injuries after an illegal mining pit caved in at Ayamfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region.
According to the Upper Denkyira West District Director, Mr. Isaac Gyasi, the illegal miners were working in a deserted mining pit between Ayamfuri and Gyaman when the incident occurred. He further stated that the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Dunkwa government hospital morgue.
“The bodies of the five persons who died, have been deposited at the Dunkwa Government hospital while the fifteen persons who sustained several injuries are being treated.
“We had information that, some illegal miners who were operating between Ayanfuri and Gyaman in the Upper Denkyira West had died, after the mining pit they were working in caved in. Rescue team involving the Police and NADMO moved to the area and were able to rescue the 20 illegal miners but unfortunately for them, five persons died in the process.”
The District NADMO Director iterated that the mining pit belongs to a mining company operating in the area but the illegal miners found their way into the pit to work leading to the unfortunate incident.
“From what I know, this mining pit belongs to a mining company operating in the area but these illegal miners found their way into the pit to work after it was used by the mining company,” he stated.
However, Mr. Isaac Gyasi noted that the NADMO and the Police will move to the area again today, Friday to continue with the investigation.
It can be recalled that, H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed the governments resolve to continue its fight against illegal mining, sand-winning and other activities that poses a negative impact on the environment.
On 19th August 2019, President Akuffo Addo gave his assent to Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Act amended the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and increased penalties for a person who buys or sell minerals without a license or without a valid authority. The Act also increased the penalties for a person who engages in mining contrary to the provision Act. President Akufo Addo also stated that, the punishments for foreigners who intervene illegally in the mining industry have been increased.
However, freelance investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni intimated that the President was not firm enough in dealing with illegal mining in the country.
According to Manasseh, the President introduced Operation Vanguard, a taskforce set up by government to combat galamsey in the country, as well as the Community Mining Program which was to ensure safe and responsible mining as part of measures to combat illegal mining in the country.
In the President’s State of the Nation’s Address to Parliament, the President lauded his government for achievements in the fight, though he admitted that there were still some challenges that needed to be addressed.
However, the menace still lurks, as people continue to lose their lives while engaging in the illegal activity.
