Illegal small-scale mining operations have taken over the entire Asante Akyem Benimase community destroying the environment.
Miners are openly extracting gold in clear violation of the country’s mining regulations.
Despite the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which prohibits mining within settlements and within fifty metres of public roads, these activities continue unchecked.
Our news team in Kumasi visited the community and reports that the situation is particularly alarming in the Asante Akyem Benimase in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality, where entire community has turned into unauthorised mining sites.
The main road, once a vital route, is now lined with massive pits, excavators, and other mining equipment, while local authorities seem to have allowed this illegal activity to thrive.
Illegal mining, also known as galamsey appears to be operating with the tacit approval of community leaders. When the perpetrators were questioned over their activities, they defended their actions saying that is their only means of survival.
“Mind your own business. Has anyone stopped you from working? Why should we stop? This is what we do, and we have nothing to do with the government,” one miner said.
Meanwhile, the residents are not pleased with the ongoing mining in the area, expressing worry over how the activities have polluted their water bodies.
They also complained about how the illegal act has been brought closer to their homes, further putting their lives at risk.
They observed that, if the government delays heeding their call, “from the tiniest toddler to the oldest granny would go on the field to get them (all miners) out.
They also accused the Chief of Asante Akyem Benimase, Nana Akwasi Fosu Gyeabour for allegedly conniving with Chinese on the galamsey issues.
“If the chief is not aware of the presence of the illegal miners why are they building community centre for us. We are petitioning Asantehene to intervene in this matter to save the situation.
By Benjamin Aidoo|AkomaFM|Kumasi
