The District Chief Executive for Atewa East, Honourable Ernest Owusu Ntim, has warned young people against returning to reclaimed mining areas, following the deaths of seven people at Asaman Tamfoe. The warning comes after a section of sand collapsed on miners who entered a reclaimed area within the Xtra Gold concession, resulting in a fatal incident that has renewed attention on the dangers associated with unregulated mining activities.
Mr Ntim, who also heads the District Security Council, explained that the rescue operation has ended after the bodies of all seven victims were retrieved from the site. He noted that the initial group involved in the incident numbered 11, but four people reportedly left the area before the collapse, leaving seven who were later found dead.
The development brings the immediate search operation to an end, although authorities are continuing to assess the circumstances that led to the deaths.
Honourable Ntim stressed that the site is associated with Xtra Gold and had already undergone reclamation, with mining equipment removed from the area. He therefore described the decision by some young people to return to the location and dig beneath the hill as particularly dangerous.
The Atewa East DCE explained that the loose nature of the material forming the hill made the activity highly hazardous, especially where individuals attempted to work underneath it. Unlike solid rock formations that may provide some natural support, loose soil and sand can shift suddenly and bury people working below.
The incident has also brought renewed focus to the difficulty of preventing people from returning to areas that mining companies have already left. Honourable Ntim indicated that Xtra Gold had carried out reclamation work at the site, but some members of the community nevertheless entered the area in search of additional gold.
On The Next Measures To Deal With The Collapse
Authorities are now expected to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the collapse while also engaging the families of the deceased. Mr Ntim disclosed that he was scheduled to meet the Police to obtain further details before arrangements were made to visit the bereaved families.
Two of the deceased are reportedly connected to the Asaman Tamfoe area, while information available to the District Security Council indicated that others came from surrounding communities. The identification process and subsequent family engagements is part of the district’s response to the tragedy.
The collapse occurred against the backdrop of continuing illegal mining activity in parts of the Eastern Region. Reports indicate that the incident happened late on Saturday, August 29, when a group of miners were working in the area in search of gold.
The DCE indicated that the Assembly would continue working with relevant agencies and the mining company to monitor such locations. He also acknowledged that enforcement alone would not be enough, making public education an important part of the district’s response.
Mining Communities Face Fresh Risks From Unauthorised Re-entry
The deaths of seven miners at Asaman Tamfoe have exposed the continuing dangers posed by illegal reentry into reclaimed mining areas. Authorities in the Atewa East District of the Eastern Region are now seeking to strengthen public education and monitoring after the fatal collapse within the Xtra Gold concession.
The District Security Council Head, Ernest Owusu Ntim, identified post mining activity as one of the major challenges confronting communities in mining districts. He explained that although companies may complete their operations and reclaim disturbed land, some people still return to those locations using basic tools in an attempt to recover gold.
The practice creates a dangerous situation because reclaimed ground may not withstand renewed excavation. Honourable Ntim cautioned that digging underneath a loose hill can cause the material above to collapse without warning, placing anyone working below at immediate risk.
Honourable Ntim noted that the Assembly has an existing task force responsible for monitoring mining areas within the district. The team works to identify illegal activities and discourage people from entering locations where mining operations have ended, although the latest incident occurred during a weekend when the local monitoring team was reportedly not present.
The situation has highlighted the practical difficulties facing district authorities in mining communities. While monitoring teams can patrol designated areas, the extensive nature of mining concessions makes continuous physical surveillance difficult, particularly when individuals enter locations at night or during periods when enforcement personnel are unavailable.
Consequently, the Assembly would work to improve its response to future incidents and strengthen preventive measures. The approach is expected to include continued monitoring, public education and cooperation with security agencies and mining companies.
Meanwhile, the authorities are also engaging with the families affected by the tragedy. Honourable Ntim indicated that arrangements are being made to visit the bereaved families.
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