Mineral Operators must reclaim land to avoid disaster; future development

Mr. Desmond Boahen, Inspector of Mines of the Ghana Mineral Commission, has said there was the need for mineral operators to always reclaim the land on which they operate to avoid disaster and also for future development.

He said abandoning the land without taking steps to restore it would cause nuisance to the environment, leading to collection of stagnant water that can result in disaster.

Mr. Boahen said mineral operators who flouted the mineral laws and regulations would have their companies shut down.

He was addressing mineral operators from the Western and Central Regions at a workshop organized by the Western Regional Inspectorate Office of the Commission on safety and environment in Takoradi.

Mr. Boahen said a task force comprising police and military personnel will arrest operators who fail to comply with the laws governing mining.

He said provision of protective gadgets and equipment was mandatory and appealed to owners of mining companies to ensure that their employees work in congenial environment.

He said in the event of payment of compensation should any property be destroyed in the process of blasting, compensations are determined by the Ministry of Mines.

Mr. Isaac Mwinbelle, also of the Inspectorate Division, appealed to owners of mining companies to value the health of their employees to ensure that they do not retire or leave the job with diseases contracted through mining.**