General News of Friday, 28 February 2014

Source: XYZ

Danger! Bui Dam under threat from illegal small scale miners

Illegal small scale mining activities at Dokokyina in the Brong Ahafo region are posing a threat to the recently constructed 400 megawatt capacity Bui Hydroelectric Dam.

The US$622 million project was recently inaugurated to supplant power supply.

According to the District Chief Executive for Banda, Alex Bonsu, there are over 6,000 illegal small scale miners operating in the village which is not far from the Dam.

Mr Bonsu told XYZ News’ Brong Ahafo regional Correspondent Michael Mfum Sarpong that the menace, if not checked, could pose a serious threat to the Dam.

“The situation here, if not checked, is going to have a very serious effect on our Dam”, he feared.

The Black Volta has already been polluted by the illegal mining activities.

Regional Police Commander, ACP Patrick Adusei Poku described the illegal mining site as the “largest galamsey site in this country”.