State inaction escalating invasion of mining lands - Chamber of Mines

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has attributed the continuous rise in the invasion of mining concessions by illegal miners to the inaction of the state to deal with the issue.

That phenomenon, the chamber said, would lead to a slowdown in investment and negatively impact on the fortunes of the country’s mining industry.

Subsequently, the chamber has challenged the government to crack the whip on the festering illegal mining before it develops into a more catastrophic proportions.   

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the chamber, Mr Sulemanu Koney, who said this at a press briefing in Accra, noted that it was very crucial for the government to issue effective instructions to prevent intruders from legal mining concession.

“We are very appalled by the apparent lack of action by relevant authorities to stop illegal mining activities on companies’ bona fide concessions, as well as ecologically sensitive areas,” he said.

The chambers call come on the back of the fact of an appeal made by the Anglo Gold Ashanti, for government to re-assign military personnel to its operational site at Obuasi to clear the area of illegal mining activities and restore law and order.

Encroachment of mining lands in the country continues to escalate with invasion of the illegal miners on the concession of Anglo Gold Ashanti Obuasi and recently Owere Mines.

Obviously, this situation poses a very big threat to the country’s economy and the environment if the illegal miners are not flushed out of the legally acquired mining concessions. 

Threat of illegal mining 

According to Mr Koney, the chamber believes that inaction at Obuasi has indirectly contributed to the invasion of the Owere Mines and no one can determine which company will be next. 

This illegality, however, deprives duly licensed companies of the opportunity to exploit the inherent mineral resources safely and created additional cost for the companies for rehabilitating the land, fixing plant and equipment which were destroyed by the illegal miners.

“The consequences of this illegality are far-reaching. Pits created by illegal miners claim the lives of company employees, as well as those of residents of host communities. The resultant destruction to the environment is also immeasurable,” he added.

Companies such as Owere Mines, Anglo Gold Ashanti – Obuasi Mines and Perseus Mining in Ayanfuri—in recent months have seen an escalation of activities of illegal miners on their concessions.

Contribution of mining companies 

Mr Koney said those companies did not only employ thousands of Ghanaians but also provided business for locally registered companies. 

Subsequently, he stressed the need for state agencies to use legal means to eject the illegal miners from their concessions.

Anglo Gold Ashanti has particularly been inundated by illegal miners and that has contributed to its inability to attract investors to partner it to revamp the mine. — GB