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Atwima Kwanwoma DCE Declares War on Illegal Miners Over Failure to Reclaim Mining Pits
Hon.Grace Agyemang Asamoah warns miners to reclaim abandoned pits as Assembly intensifies efforts to protect communities,farmlands and the environment
By:Hon Justice Baffour/Managing Editor, DailyWatchGH.com
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Kwanwoma in the Ashanti Region,Hon.Grace Agyemang Asamoah,has declared a renewed fight against illegal mining activities in the district,particularly against miners who fail to reclaim lands and abandoned mining pits after their operations.
The DCE issued the warning when she,together with a team comprising Assembly departmental heads,officers from the Environmental and Sanitation Department,the Assembly’s Task Force, security personnel and media practitioners,embarked on a field visit to some mining areas like Nweneso number 1,23 and it environs in the district.
The visit was aimed at assessing first-hand the concerns raised by residents over the activities of illegal miners and the increasing number of abandoned and uncovered mining pits within their communities.
According to Hon.Grace Agyemang Asamoah,the Assembly can no longer overlook the dangers posed by abandoned mining pits,particularly those located close to residential areas and farmlands.
She noted that while mining activities may provide economic opportunities for some people,operators must also accept responsibility for restoring the land after mining.
The DCE warned that miners would not be allowed to exploit the natural resources of Atwima Kwanwoma and leave communities to deal with the environmental and safety consequences.
She stressed that every mining operator has a responsibility to reclaim and restore degraded lands, particularly areas where mining activities have resulted in deep and dangerous pits.
Hon.Grace Agyemang Asamoah further indicated that the Assembly would strengthen its monitoring of mining sites and collaborate with relevant state institutions,traditional authorities,community leaders and security agencies to address illegal mining activities in the district.
She also called on residents to remain vigilant and report illegal mining activities as well as abandoned mining pits to the appropriate authorities.
Residents Raise Concerns
During the field visit,residents expressed concerns about the impact of mining activities on their communities,including the destruction of farmlands and the presence of abandoned pits that could pose danger to residents,particularly children.
The DCE and her team inspected some of the affected areas to gain a better understanding of the situation and identify areas requiring urgent attention.
The engagement, she explained,forms part of the Assembly’s broader efforts to respond directly to concerns raised by residents while protecting the environment and promoting responsible use of the district’s natural resources.
Hon.Grace Agyemang Asamoah maintained that the development of Atwima Kwanwoma must not be pursued at the expense of the safety of residents,agricultural lands and the environment.
She therefore urged miners and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Assembly in ensuring that mining activities are conducted responsibly and that degraded lands are properly reclaimed for future use.
The Assembly is expected to intensify its monitoring and enforcement activities as it works with stakeholders to address illegal mining and the environmental challenges associated with abandoned mining pits in the district.
