Mining Activities Cause Havoc In Amenfi East District

Small-scale mining, both legal and illegal, is not only posing threat to the environment but also endangering the lives of children and unborn babies in the Amenfi East District in the Western Region.

In some of the communities, illegal miners, otherwise known as galamsey operators, have degraded large tracts of land without rolling out any plans to recover them.

The use of mercury and other dangerous chemicals by the miners to extract gold has also polluted streams, rivers and underground water which serve as sources of drinking water for the communities.

During a visit to places such as Japa and Bawdie, near Wassa Akropong and other galamsey sites the Daily Graphic saw that extensive land degradation had affected farming activities as most of the farmlands had been turned into mining pits.

Again, increasing number of pregnant women and nursing mothers were working at various galamsey sites for a pittance.

During interaction with some of the miners, they said they were very much aware of the effects of their operations on the environment but indicated that they did not have any plans of recovering the degraded lands.

At Japa, water from the mining pits had flooded the main road in the community.

In some areas, to prevent water from flowing to the streets, the operators had heaped sand on the side of the road without giving any warning signs to motorists.

Apart from the environmental consequences of mining, pregnant women and children aged nine to 11 have found themselves engaged in mining because it is a major source of livelihood for them.

Looking very tired and dirty, the children said they were engaged in mining because of the economic and financial benefits.

One of the mining operators, who gave his name only as Amoah, said he had been involved in galamsey operations for many years and that he was aware of the dangers.

Asked if they were aware of the efforts by the security officials, Amoah alleged that some of the security men used the opportunity to extort money from them.

When the Daily Graphic contacted officials of the Minerals Commission, they said the illegal miners were not ready to be helped.