Youth demonstrate over Illegal underground mining discovered at Akyem Akokoaso

The Youth in the community have issued a Seven Day ultimatum to a Chinese gold mining company to vacate the area or face their wrath at Akyem Akokoaso in the Akyemansa District of the Eastern Region.

The youth has accused Jia Xin Industrial mining company of engaging in illegal Mining, narrated that they do not have mining license but embarking on underground mining with blasting.

Jia Xin Industrial Company took over the prospecting license of Ofosua Mining and construction Company after successful deeds of assignment approved by then Minister John Peter Amewu on July 17, 2018.

Addressing the media on Friday, June 25, 2021,  the concerned youth of Akyem Akokoaso in a statement read by Ernest Oteng, one of the Conveners said, “the activities of this illegal mining company, Jia Xin Industrial Company from China is heavily destroying the lives of the people of Ofoase Ayirebi, especially its employees, the land and water bodies (to specifically mention the Aboabo River) and fast depleting the forest cover”

They added “We refer to the company as illegal because aside from introductory letter at the Chief’s Palace by the DCE, they cannot provide any legal document supporting their Gold mining activities.

They are supposed to tremendously contribute to the local economy of the communities within which the prospecting is conducted. But ours is not like that”.

The youth group said all demands made by the people of Akyem Akokoaso as part of the company’s social responsibility especially, the provision of potable water, other social amenities, and school buildings have proved futile.

“Mining activities come with several environmental, economic, developmental, and societal as well as educational challenges that governments, environmentalists, and educationists will fight several decades to come. The destruction of the environment with sophisticated machines by this Chinese Company is on the ascendency and must be addressed without a delay especially, Ofoase-Ayirebi water bodies have already been polluted.

The toxic chemicals released by this company (Jia Xin) into our water bodies cannot be overemphasized and the health hazards in respect. The company treats its Ghanaian workers as inhuman, or slaves. Moreover, the company has also failed to adhere to mining rules and regulations”.

Indiscriminate blasting by the Chinese mining company is another worry to the residents.

“Another illegal and serious activity by Jia Xin Industrial Company in the manner they undertake blasting without prior notification to the community members, causing fear and panic amongst residents.

Adding that this behaviour by the company has negatively affected some pregnant women and children, and the high risk they subjected their Ghanaian workers unto, by sending them to the blasted pits a few minutes after blasting, to inhales harmful chemicals”

The youth alleged, that some of these Chinese miners have illegitimate or possessed expired travelling documents and working permits, and therefore appealed to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to investigate these Chinese.

They also called the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Operation Halt illegal mining activities, the Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, and all stakeholders to help and support the youth in this fight against illegal mining in Akyemansa District.

The District Chief Executive for Akyemansa, Paul Asamoah told the media, that on May 19, 2021, the Akyemansa District Assembly wrote to the Jia Xin Industrial Company, requesting to halt their exploration activities following the expiration of their license on April 6, 2021.

When asked, why a company-issued with a license for prospecting, is being allowed to engage in underground mining and blasting?, the DCE answered, the regulatory bodies in the mining industry are aware of their operation and would have acted, if they have breached any regulation.

William Ofori Akwaboa, Eastern Regional Correspondent