Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has called on all stakeholders including the Assemblies, Chiefs, security, community leaders to come together to find solutions to the illegal mining menace.
This follows the trapping of about 300 illegal miners at Aweam in Obuasi.
It was reported that over 300 illegal miners had been trapped under AngloGold Ashanti concession at Aweam in Obuasi.
According to reports, the victims were trapped under the pit for about a week without food or water and no one had come to rescue them.
The miners trapped under the pit at Aweam in Obuasi, accused AngloGold Ashanti of intentionally covering the pit to kill them.
But in response, AngloGold Ashanti debunked allegations by the illegal miners that it covered the mining pit to kill galamseyers.
In a statement, AngloGold Ashanti said unauthorized persons underground were able to exit on foot, via an existing ramp, through the main access of the mining area.
“No person underground has been confined in any way and the main exit ramp from the mine remains open. Obuasi Gold Mine’s management team has notified the relevant authorities and public security services and is working closely with them,” it stated.
Read Also: Being ‘hungry’ doesn’t mean you should mine illegally- DCE
In an exclusive interview with Atinka News, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu complained that the country does not benefit anything from the gold the galamseyers mine.
He observed that after mining, they give the Gold directly to the Chinese and Indians whom they mostly work for and they take it to their countries.
After destroying the lands, he said they do not pay anything to the state but rather turn to call on Government to help reclaim the lands.
“Sometimes, even when you are looking for those who contracted the galemseyers you will not see them and they will be the ones in trouble so we should get better regulations to put an end to these. It is threatening our food security,” he said.
Mr Osei KyeiMensah-Bonsu noted that the Government has implemented Gold for Oil which is going to help the nation, but unfortunately, these galamseyers destroy the lands and the State does not get anything from them.
“You will realise that the Chinese will be somewhere around and when the galamseyeres crush the minerals, they give it to them and they take it away,” he continued.
Meanwhile, he noted that the law states that the minerals under the land or sea belong to the entire nation and not the government.
He, therefore, underscored the need for proper regulation to address the matter.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori