Chamber of Mines wants illegal miners out

Mr. Sulemanu Koney, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, says inaction on the part of authorities to stop illegal mining activities on companies’ bona fide concessions has led to escalation of the situation. 
 

Illegal miners have in the last few months invaded the concessions of Owere Mines, AngloGold Ashanti-Obuasi Mine, and Perseus Mines at Ayanfuri in the Western Region.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr. Koney, blamed the increased invasion on government’s inability to crack the whip to halt the practice, which has led to the escalation of illegal miners’ activities. 

“We believe that the inaction at Obuasi has indirectly contributed to the invasion of the Owere Mines, and nobody knows which company will be next,” he said.

Mr. Koney said the Chamber is calling on government to as a matter of urgency flush out the illegal miners from the mining concessions in order to restore investor confidence and attract necessary investment into the sector. 

He said the illegality is depriving duly licenced companies of the opportunity to exploit the mineral resources safely and prudentially.

He said the menace is also leading to additional costs to the companies for rehabilitating the land, fixing plant and equipment, as well as restoring the environment. 

“Pits excavated by illegal miners claim the lives of company employees as well as residents of host communities,” he said, adding “the resultant destruction to the environment is immeasurable”.

Mr. Koney said the recent increase in illegal mining activities and violence against licenced mining companies has caused insecurity and fear among investors in the mining sector. 

“It is regrettable that the beacon of mining in Africa should suffer this fate at a time of downturn in the industry; a period within which host countries globally are encouraging investment in exploration and development of mines in anticipation of an upturn,” he said.