Media urged to help fight illegal mining at Obuasi

Obuasi, Sep 12, GNA - The Media have been called upon to partner key stakeholders in the mining industry to help halt the activities of illegal miners which have the potential to breakdown the Obuasi mine.

Mr Frederick Atta-Kumah, Deputy Managing Director of Anglo Gold Ashanti (Obuasi) who made the call, said the activities of the miners have assumeda national dimension which needed a multi-sectoral approach for a solution.

Speaking to a team of journalists from the Ashanti Region who inspected the galamsey-prone areas around the mine, Mr Atta-Kumah said the media and all other stakeholders could help to craft an appropriate solution to the galamsey menace.

Areas visited included the 93Cote D'or" and 93Blackies" where the illegal

miners had constructed illegal pits to link the main Obuasi mine's underground tunnels.

The Deputy Managing Director pointed out that these activities could cause problems leading to underground flooding whilst the ground support systems would be weakened to create potential ground falling.

He said apart from the negative impact on the environment as a result of these illegal mining operations, the underground ventilation was also being undermined.

"The escalation of the galamsey operations has reached a dimension bordering on lawlessness", Mr. Atta-Kuma said adding, It is now more than the Obuasi mine issue".

He pointed out that there were strong players including foreigners who were supporting the galamsey activities with an increased level of sophistication in the country.

Reacting to allegations by some of the illegal miners that they were often aided in their operations by the company's security men, the Deputy Managing Director said control mechanisms had been put in place to check their conduct.

The Executive Manager in charge of Mining, Mr Fred Nsarkoh explained that the company had set up certain values regulating the operations of the mine and that it was agreed to hold a dialogue with the leadership of the artisanal miners on the galamsey issues.

"We have to reason with them to let them know the dangers inherent in their operations, both to themselves and the mine", he said.

Mr Nsarkoh stressed the need for government intervention and media support, stressing 93It is going beyond us. It is becoming a national thing and we need government intervention and the media to preach against galamsey activities in the mining areas".