Minister orders mining firm to stop work in Western Region

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr John Peter Amewu has ordered a mining firm, Okobeng Mining Company, to halt any mining activities at Domenase in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.

The mining firm, which was issued with prospecting licence two months ago, had been mining about 30 metres to River Ankobra for the past three months.

The Minister issued the directive when he led a team to Domenase in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region on Sunday.

The visit followed the expiration of the ultimatum the Minister gave to all illegal miners to evacuate their equipment and leave the mining sites.

Meanwhile, an ex-serviceman engaged by the mining firm, John Kodie to provide security at the site was dispossessed of his security gadgets including pump action gun and military uniform by the Police.

Mr Kodie said he exited the Ghana Armed Forces in 2014 and was engaged by the firm a month ago to provide security at the site.

Illegal small-scale mining has polluted water bodies and degraded the vegetation all over the country.

The Media Coalition comprising major media organisations in the country had also launched anti-galamsey campaign to galvanize support against the menace.

The government also has thrown its support to stop the practice.

The Minister and his entourage are continuing the tour of some mining sites in the region.

Source: GNA