OPERATION HALT’ SOLDIERS STRIKE ON OFFIN RIVER
A crack team of anti-illegal mining taskforce, Operation Halt, has swooped on some unscrupulous illegal miners, notoriously called ‘galamseyers’ who have invaded the Offin River, busily engaging in the illegal mining activities, in spite of the ban on the menace with all river bodies declared red-zone.
The taskforce, designed for such purpose, was swiftly dispatched to arrest these recalcitrant miners, following a tipoff, to save the river from pollution.
Several equipment were seized during the swoop, whiles others including Chanfan machines and generators were set ablaze. By press time yesterday, The Anchor gathered that, extensive operation was still underway, to flush out the illegal miners from the area, completely.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has, meanwhile, commended the Operation Halt for the timely intervention, adding that, the ministry will continue to safeguard the environment and ensure the efficient management of the natural resources for all.
Meanwhile, at a press conference in Accra yesterday, Sunday August 14, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, disclosed that as part of government’s permanent solution to fight against illegal mining, Ministry of Lands and the Commission in collaboration with various Security agencies will intensify patrol on all river bodies.
According to him, with the help of the recently commissioned speedboats, rivers, such as Pra, Ankobrah, Offin, Birim and Black Volta would be guarded strictly as way of preventing illegal miners from returning to mine in the water bodies.
He mentioned that, the fight against the menace requires concerted efforts and, everyone needs to get involved to volunteer information on any form of illegal mining activity, across the country, to enable the Commission together with security agencies, to act swiftly on it.
Mr. Ayisi assured the public that, the patrol will not only focus on the main water-bodies, but also, on tributaries and small streams.
Social Media Video
Touching on a video circulating on social media regarding an alleged illegal mining activity on the Offin River, the Minerals Commission boss said the issue is being investigated and ruthless action would be taken to deal with the matter and any other such illegal activities.
“Our resolve is resolute and total, and we will not, for any reason, give up this fight,” Mr. Ayisi stressed.
The move follows reports on social media that illegal mining of gold on the water body has resumed in earnest, and on the blind side of authorities.
Earlier in a statement, the Commission warned that serious actions will be taken against anyone found culpable to have compromised the safety of the River and any others identified.
“The attention of the Minerals Commission has been drawn to a video on social media about alleged illegal mining in the Offin River.
The Commission wishes to assure the general public that the matter is being investigated and swift and ruthless action will be taken to deal with this and any other such illegal activities. Our resolve is resolute and total”, the Commission said.
The statement, signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Martin Ayisi, said the sector Ministry and his outfit have collaborated in the past two years, to introduce several measures; saying all their quest to ensure illegal mining is curtailed.
He said: “These measures include the introduction of Operation Halt II, engagement with relevant stakeholders, revamping of the Community Mining Scheme, geological investigation of designated areas to identify mineralized areas to be allocated to small scale miners, the distribution of one hundred (100) mercury-free equipment to ensure responsible mining and the inauguration of District Mining Committees, to monitor and supervise small scale operations”.
Adding: “All enforcement mechanisms as well as intelligence gathering have been enhanced on all fronts”.
The statement touched on a recent measure by the Ministry, where it commissioned five speedboats handed over to the Ghana Navy, ostensibly and effectively to patrol rivers Ankobra, Pra, Offin, Birim and Black Volta.
This is to ensure permanent patrols on the water bodies as way of preventing illegal miners from returning to mine in water bodies.
The Commission reiterated it call to the media and the general public, reminding them that the fight against illegal mining, is a collective effort of all and so all hands should be on deck to win the fight together.
The Commission further urged the general public to be forthcoming with information on illegal mining activities, “such as the video in circulation, and such leads will be acted upon with dispatch and integrity.
The Commission wishes to assure the Ghanaian public of its unflinching commitment to the fight to sanitize the small-scale mining sector”.
Source: Anchorghana
