DCE expresses concern about galamsey activities

Mr Edward Awunnore, Talensi District Chief Executive (DCE) in the Upper East Region, has expressed concern about the spate at which illegal miners are invading strategic areas in the district and destroying  the  environment.

The DCE who expressed the concern at a consultative meeting on small scale mining held in the district at the weekend said some of the illegal activities involve Chinese nationals.

Mr Awunnore said the operations of  the small scale  miners  have very serious national security implications since most of the areas where illegal the mining takes place are  engulfed with conflicts.

He warned that the District Security Committee would not countenance with  illegal mining activities in line with the directives of the President John Dramani Mahatma.

Mr Daniel Syme, Deputy Regional Minister entreated the traditional authorities, assembly members and stakeholders to be vigilant about the  activities of the miners and  report them to the appropriate quarters.

He said government encourages local and foreign private sector participation in the exploration for mineral resources and commercial exploitation should be in line with the Minerals and Mining Act , Act 703 and other legal instruments governing the sector.

Mr Syme said it is unfortunate that some foreign partners had trespassed such legal framework are engaging in illegal mining activities causing land degradation and destroying water bodies.

“I want to send a word of caution to such individuals and groups whether local or foreign to desist from such practices in the district or face arrest and prosecution,” he warned.

Source: GNA