Illicit artisanal small-scale gold mining activities which have been the bane of the Western Region have now assumed an alarming proportion.

Previously, those activities were concentrated in Tarkwa, Bogoso and Prestea-Hemang, but recently they have spread to almost all the northern part of the region.

The illegal activities, popularly known as ’galamsey’, have extended to Mpohor, Damang, Akyempim, Teleku Bokazo and between Wassa Akropong and Ayanfuri, while the Pra River, Tano River and the Bonsa River have not been left out.

In Prestea-Hemang,  the activities of illegal gold miners hav contributed to the pollution of River Ankobra.

The irony of the situation is that between Wassa Akropong and Ayanfuri, a large stretch of land at both sides of the road is being degraded at a very fast rate by the illegal ’galamsey’ operators in such a way that if nothing is done about the situation soon, that portion of the Tarkwa-Bogoso Ayanfuri road would have to be closed to traffic.

A study has shown that very few of the operators have acquired licences to undertake artisanal small scale mining even though they are aware that their operations are illegal and are in conflict with the laws of the country.

The activities of the illegal miners have serious negative impact on the environment, health and safety of the residents.

The indiscriminate scooping of the land has greatly caused land degradation in the affected areas, particularly between Wassa Akropong and Ayanfuri, rendering the whole area including the road virtually flooded at all times.

Water pollution, through turgidity and application of chemicals and dust generated re some of the negative impacts on the environment.
The blasting of hard rocks and diversion of rivers for alluvial gold mining affect the environment.

Inhaling of chemicals, dust and smoke from "Chinvan" stone crushers, believed to have been supplied by some Chinese and the use of hard drugs by the operators also have health implications.

The Western Regional Minister, Mr Evans Paul Aidoo complained bitterly about the alarming situation when he inaugurated the the reconstituted Western Regional Co-ordinating Council recently.

Mr Aidoo said the Regional Security Council had already carried out an eviction exercise in River Pra and that similar exercises would be undertaken until the problem was resolved.

Some organisations have also advocated the licensing of the operators to legalise their activities, so that their operations could be controlled and also given technical support.

Daily Graphic
AA