A safety expert, Mr Isaac Okyem, has urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to compel multinational mining companies to do their work in accordance with the laws of the country.
His comment follows the disaster that occurred at Apiatse that claimed lives and properties.
On Thursday, January 20th 2022, there was an explosion at Apiatse, a town between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region.
According to reports, a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.
As a result, almost 20 persons were reported dead while almost 160 persons sustained injuries.
It was also reported that about 179 families have been affected by the disaster.
Also, the disaster destroyed several domestic and commercial properties, leaving over 100 persons homeless.
In a latest development, Maxam Company Limited, the company whose mining truck was involved in the disaster has been fined 6 million dollars.
Read Also: Apiatse explosion: MAXAM slapped with $6m fine
Speaking on Atinka TV‘s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Isaac Okyem although there are existing laws to be followed by mining companies, they always ignore them.
He stated that before transporting explosives, it behoves on the company to notify the Minerals Commission so that they help provide an escort for them but most of them do not notify the Commission because they do not want to bear the cost that comes with notifying the Commission.
“There are already existing laws, the mining companies know about this but most of them have ignored it, some do not inform the Minerals Commission that they are transporting chemical explosives. Sometimes you will meet excavators and other heavy duty machine without escorts. The escort can be a pickup with a reflector on it with someone indicating that there is a vehicle with chemicals coming but you wont even see that. So, it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to compel all multi-national mining companies to go by the law,” he said.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]
