Illegal mining ravages Asante Akyem Benimase; threatens environment and health

Illegal small-scale mining operations have taken over the entire Asante Akyem Benimase community destroying the environment.

Miners are openly extracting gold in clear violation of the country’s mining regulations.

Despite the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which prohibits mining within settlements and within fifty meters of public roads, these activities continue unchecked.

Our news team in Kumasi visited the community and reports that the situation is particularly alarming in the Asante Akyem Benimase in the Asante Akyem Central Municipal in Ashanti Region, where the entire community has turned into unauthorised mining sites.

The main road, once a vital route, is now lined with massive pits, excavators, and other mining equipment, while local authorities seem to have allowed this illegal activity to thrive.

Illegal mining known as galamsey appears to be operating with the tacit approval of community leaders. What was once a key road, the route is now dotted with artisanal washing bays and large pits, where miners openly process gold.

When confronted about their activities, some miners defended their actions, claiming that mining is their only means of survival.

“Mind your own business. Has anyone stopped you from working? Why should we stop? This is what we do, and we have nothing to do with the government,” one miner said.

Residents here bemoaned the illegal mining in this community.

According to them, all the river bodies in Asante Akyem Benimase have been polluted as a result of such mining activities.

They stated that, certain mining sites are located near residential communities where people live.

They noted that the situation is dire that “from your house even if you through water, it goes straight into the mining pit”.

“All the river bodies now are destroyed.

The residents here, are helpless in the situation and called on the government to act to end the menace.

They observed that, if the government delays heeding their call, “from the tiniest toddler to the oldest granny would go on the field to get them (all miners) out.”

They also accused the Chief of Asante Akyem Benimase, Nana Akwasi Fosu Gyeabour for allegedly conniving with Chinese on the galamsey issues.

“If the chief is not aware of the presence of the illegal miners why are they building community centre for us. We are petitioning Asantehene to intervene in this matter to save the situation.”

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