Illegal mining ravages western railway line at Bonsawere
Illegal mining activities have caused extensive damage to a section of the Western Railway Corridor at Bonsawere in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, deepening fears about the future of one of Ghana’s key transport links.
The once-bustling stretch of the rail line now lies in ruins, following years of deterioration and neglect of the region’s railway infrastructure. The situation has been made worse by unchecked encroachment from illegal miners who have taken advantage of the inactivity along the route.
The affected section became increasingly vulnerable after manganese haulage operations from Nsuta to the Takoradi Harbour were suspended more than a year ago. Without regular rail activity or maintenance, the line has been left exposed to erosion and the destructive impact of illegal mining.
With heavy machinery and unregulated digging, illegal miners have stripped the land and weakened the tracks, leaving large portions of the corridor unstable and unsafe. The area, once vital for transporting minerals and goods, now bears visible scars from open pits and collapsed embankments.
Residents have expressed concern that the continuous destruction could permanently cripple the Western Railway network and derail ongoing efforts to revive the country’s rail transport sector.