The Minerals Development Fund (MDF) has reacted to the recent deaths recorded in two mining communities in the country – Wassa Dunkwa in the Amenfi West Municipality and Atta Ne Atta in the Asutifi South District.

In a statement issued by the Administrator of the MDF, Dr Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, the fund expressed commiseration with the families affected by the incident in Wassa Dunkwa, where a 42-year-old woman and her three sons drowned in an abandoned illegal mining pit, and the incident in the Asutifi South District, where a mining pit collapse claimed the lives of nine individuals.

The fund stated that the two incidents are clear examples of the dangers illegal mining (galamsey) poses to humans and the environment as a whole.

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“These tragic occurrences once again highlight the grave dangers posed by illegal mining activities, particularly abandoned and unprotected pits that continue to threaten lives across our mining communities,” part of the statement read.

The fund expressed regret over the incidents, stating that the laws mandating persons who engage in mining to reclaim their sites must be strictly enforced.

“We also reinforce the urgent need to fully enforce the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP), a fundamental environmental and governance standard which requires that individuals and entities responsible for environmental degradation must bear the cost of reclamation and restoration of lands.

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“The MDF strongly reiterates that those who engage in illegal mining and leave behind hazardous pits must be held accountable for reclamation and remediation. It is unacceptable for communities to continue to suffer loss of life and environmental destruction due to negligence and disregard for human safety,” it said.

It went on to assure that it would continue to work to redress the negative impact of mining in mining communities and support the development and well-being of these communities.

It also called on stakeholders and the general public to collectively enforce compliance with mining laws to safeguard communities and prevent further tragedies.

BAI/AE

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the ‘Dark Side of Kayamata’ and its devastating impact below: