The Minerals Commission says it has begun investigations into allegations of illegal mining on the Offin River.
The Chief Executive Officer, Martin Ayisi responding to the claim following a viral video on social media said if confirmed swift action would be taken against persons against such illegalities.
He made this statement during a press conference in Accra.
The government, he noted, has stepped up interventions to deal with illegal mining activities.
He called on the public to provide the Commission with information regarding activities of illegal mining in their communities.
He added that efforts are underway to arrest the culprit involved.
“Our attention has been drawn to a video which suggests that people are doing illegal mining and washing all the stuff into the water body. We are investigating to check the authenticity of that, and trust me we will take strict action.” He said.
He revealed the government has deployed speedboats on the water body permanently to stamp out activities of illegal mining.
According to him, 5 river bodies which include Pra, Ankobra, Birim Tano and the Black Volta are being taken over by the illegal miners.
He noted that within the last two years, Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Commission, has introduced several measures to deal with illegal mining, popularly referred to as “galamsey”.
He outlined some of these measures mentioning the introduction of Operation Halt II, engagement with relevant stakeholders, revamping of the Community Mining Scheme, geological investigation of designated areas to identify mineralized areas to be allocated to small-scale miners, the distribution of one hundred (100) mercury-free equipment to ensure responsible mining and the inauguration of District Mining Committees to monitor and supervise small scale operations.
He asserted that as part of all these enforcement mechanisms, intelligence gathering have also been enhanced on all fronts to ensure that the fight is properly fought and won.
Mr Martin Ayisi further noted that, “all earth moving equipment imported into the country for the purposes of mining by both small and large scale mining are to be fixed with tracking system.
This, according to him is to make for constant monitoring by officials of the Minerals Commission to ensure that mining companies operate within their concessions and know the value of gold mined in a day.
