A
District Mining Committee has been inaugurated at Obuasi in the Ashanti region to
oversee the peaceful exit of the unlicensed miners from AGA concession to
demarcated areas within the lease area surrendered by the company.
Anglogold
Ashanti has been battling the illegal miners who have encroached and taken over
the company’s mining operations at Obuasi in recent times.
Over
the years, there have been a number of casualties and loss of lives arising
from conflicts in some areas where unlicensed small-scale mining thrive.
The
Minerals Commission describes the problem at the Obuasi Mines as “a crisis or near
crisis situation” that calls for immediate attention.
“It
is clear that we need to strengthen, broaden and coordinate better our efforts
in tackling the challenge of illegal mining in the country and I know measures
have been put in place for short, medium to long-term solutions,” said Richard Kofi
Afenu, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Commission.
The
Paramount Chief of Adansi Traditional Area, Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, says
government should be proactive is salvaging the situation where individuals
enrich themselves at the expense of the State.
“We
as traditional rulers cannot sit down for people to do whatever they like when
we have a government that controls the security forces,” he said. “It’s the
government’s responsibility to make sure the police controls Obuasi if there is
a problem… when there is illegal miming inside a concession and the law does
not allow the concession owners to have security with guns; and we call the
police and the military and cannot get it, then somebody must accept
responsibility”.
Municipal
Chief Executive for Obuasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, however says
government is committed to providing security protection to investors and
investments, including Anglogold Ashanti, to continue to stay in business for
the common good.
“As
we speak, there a deployment of police and military on the mine,” he said.
Mr.
Boadi observed chiefs and traditional authorities must refrain from aiding and
facilitating the thriving illegal mining activities which are negatively
impacting on farmlands and water bodies.
The
AGA in March 2016 surrendered 60percent – 273 square kilometer – of the Obuasi
Concession, but retained the Obuasi Mine, where portions have been encroached upon
by unlicensed miners.
The
Minerals Commission is hopeful the inaugurated committee will assist regulatory
agencies to resolve the impasse evicting illegal miners from concessions of Anglogold
Ashanti Obuasi mine.
The
Committee will also assist in the formation of small scale mining cooperatives
to enable them apply for mining concessions in the surrendered area.
The
15-member committee, Chaired by Eng. Kwaku Frimpong Kumah, comprises
representatives from the Minerals Commission, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ghana
National Association of Small Scale Miners, the Obuasi Municipal Assembly,
Anglogold Ashanti Ghana Limited, Municipal Police Command and the Adansi North
Traditional Council.
By
Kofi Adu Domfeh
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