Burkinabes Takes Over Odious Mining in Eastern Region
The Eastern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) Felix Addo-Okyere charged the Municipal and District Assemblies to ensure that mining companies that come to their jurisdiction to operate produce valid lease.
Joana Somiah 
Dozens of Burkinabes have invaded Nyafoman and Noyem communities in Birim North Municipalities in the Eastern region of Ghana, engaging in many odious mining activities.
These illegal miners use different methods to mine which is fast deteriorating the environment, according to some chiefs in the communities.
This was revealed at a stakeholders engagement meeting on responsible mining at Nkawkaw, the Kwahu East Municipality and various mining companies participated, chiefs and other stakeholders in Kwahu West, Kwahu East, and Birim North Municipalities were also represented.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Honourable Seth Kwame Acheampong said, the era when mining companies engaged in infractions but escaped unpunished is a thing of the past.
The Minister opined that recalcitrant, and odious miners who have resumed their illicit activities will soon be dealt with.
According to him, President Akufo Addo led government is committed to securing a sustainable environment for the future generation therefore will ensure that forest reserves, water bodies, and all other natural ecosystems are secured and protected from pollution and degradation.
The Regional Minister stressed that mining companies must seriously respect the 100-meter buffer zone for roads, forest reserves, streams, rivers, railway lines, and 300 meters from electric pillion and national installations as captured in the cadastral map and established by regulations.
He noted that forest reserves and water bodies mining is prohibited.
The Chief of Noyem, Nana Ansah Sasraku, on his part narrated, that the illegal miners are using dangerous chemicals to mine in river bodies which have led to the deaths of domesticated animals who drink from the polluter rivers. He appealed to the Eastern Regional Security Council to intervene.
The Eastern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) Felix Addo-Okyere charged the Municipal and District Assemblies to ensure that mining companies that come to their jurisdiction to operate produce valid lease, digging, and Environmental permits before they are granted business operating permits.
He emphasized that only seven large- and small-scale mining companies are recognized to have met all the requirements and permitted to operate in the region, however, noted some six other mining companies without a full permit are in the region as well.
He warned them to complete the processes before undertakes any mining activity at the site, else it will constitute an illegally.
The Eastern Regional Director of the Minerals Commission, Joshua Quaye – Sowah, noted that some mining companies beginning their permit acquisition processes by using prospecting licenses to surreptitiously engage in mining. Adding that such acts constitute illegality and firms’ found culpable will be dealt with according to law.
Some of the stakeholders mainly chiefs from mining communities bemoaned the pollution of water bodies and destruction of cocoa farms by illegal miners in their communities.
William Ofori Akwaboa, Eastern Region
