body-container-line-1
28.09.2013 General News

Claim of galamsey on AngloGold concession false — MCE

By Daily Graphic
Claim of galamsey on AngloGold concession false —MCE
28.09.2013 LISTEN

The Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Richard Ofori Agyemang-Boadi, has accused AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) of creating 'unnecessary panic' over the claim of re-emergence of illegal gold mining (galamsey) in the company's concessions.

He said if indeed there were any galamsey operations going on in AGA operational areas, the company must look within for answers instead of creating the impression that people from outside were responsible.

'They should examine their workers because as far as I know, no one from outside has re-entered the company's concession since March 18, this year when a combined team of the police and the military, under the direction and command of National Security, undertook an exercise to flush out illegal miners from the area.'

Reacting to reports emanating from the company that illegal miners had re-entered AGA's concession, Mr Agyemang-Boadi said ,' It would be very difficult for anyone outside to enter the concession because of the presence of military personnel in the area.'

He indicated that the impression created by the company that his outfit was not doing anything about illegal mining was wrong.

According to him, the National Security asked him to personally find out whether galamsey had raised its ugly head again in the company's operational area.

'My interactions with officials of the company revealed that the activity was going on in only one area called Merewa.

'Even then there was no proof that those engaged in the activity were from outside the company,' he said.

While admitting the construction of a 30-metre tunnel dug from Anwiam, a community close to the Obuasi mine, to the company's operational area, the MCE said there was no proof it was meant for galamsey activities.

He said some of the youth from the area who used discarded rock deposits in the company's operational area for their terrazzo works mighthave been responsible.

'I personally went to have a look at the tunnel and I stopped the boys from continuing with the terrazzo activities, and also advised the company to close the tunnel.'

By Kwame Asare Boadu/Daily Graphic/Ghana

body-container-line