Bankyim residents appeal to relocate mining company

Bankyim (W/R), July 6, GNA - Residents of Bankyim and Jerusalem, both suburbs of Tarkwa, have appealed to the government, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), to relocate an assay laboratory SGS cited in the community.

The residents told the GNA that the relocation would save them from the harmful effects of pollution resulting from the activities of SGS and especially during occasional fire outbreaks in the company. The residents expressed disappointment that several appeals to the government and other mining regulatory agencies to relocate SGS went unheeded.

They said the company had recorded three major fire outbreaks within the last four years, destroying property belonging to some residents without compensation.

Beside frequent fire outbreaks, the residents alleged, SGS also has been spilling dangerous chemicals into gutters that lead to water bodies.

A resident, Mr. Ebenezer Nyarko whose building was damaged in a fire outbreak at SGS two years ago, said he had not been paid any compensation.

He said there were others who had similar experiences and were contesting their cases in court.