W/R chiefs express concern over surface mining

Sekondi, Dec. 20, GNA - Some members of the Western Regional House of Chiefs have voiced their concern over surface mining and said it destroyed the environment.

Contributing to discussions at an end of year general meeting at Sekondi on Tuesday, they urged the government to encourage investors to adopt pit mining as a means to protect the environment.

Osagyefo Kwamena Enimil VI, the Omanhene of Wassa Fiase, said if the rate at which surface mining was being done continued the Western Region, which is regarded as the food-basket of the country, would be left with no arable land for food production.

He said even though pit mining is said to be more capital intensive "it is environmentally friendly compared to surface mining." The chiefs appealed to the government to do more to find lasting solutions to perennial conflicts between security personnel and mining companies on one side and illegal miners "galamsey" operators. The chiefs suggested that galamsey operators must be helped to come together and be registered as small-scale miners so that their activities could be monitored and controlled. Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, the Regional Minister, briefed the meeting about recent operations by personnel of the security agencies to evict galamsey operators from the concessions of some mining companies that resulted in fatalities. He said there were opportunities for those who wished to go into small-scale mining and that they should follow laid down procedures without infringing the laws to negate the efforts of the government to woo investors into the country.

Awulae Attibrukusu III, the President of the House, thanked members of the house for their cooperation in the running of the affairs of the house.

He spoke about the urgent need to post a counsel to the house help in the day-to-day administration of the house particularly on legal issues.