Galamsey operators back to Pra River

Illegal gold miners have resumed their operations in the Pra River in the Western Region after a recent clampdown on their activities.

Their activities, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, have led to the Pra River, which is the source of water to the Daboase Treatment Plant, being silty, while residents complain of excessive noise throughout the day. The residents have, therefore, questioned the presidential directive that the task force on illegal mining should cease its operations.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is experiencing water shortages as the water level at the Daboase Treatment Plant, which supplies water to the metropolis, is now at a low level of 1.3 metres instead of four metres.

Situation

During a visit to the Doboase plant yesterday, more than six illegal miners were seen on the site seriously mining in the river while the intake point of the treatment plant was filled with the waste from the operations of the illegal miners.

The operators were also using long metals to dig up the hilly banks of the river which caved in, destroying the river banks and its green vegetative cover.

DCE

When the Daily Graphic contacted the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wassa East, Mr A. E. Aggrey, on the development, he retorted, “Galamsey has always been there and what about it?” He subsequently asked the reporter to relocate to the area if he thought he could do something about it.

Discomfort

Residents of Daboase told the two reporters that the “galamseyers” operated throughout the day and at night, resulting in the residents having sleepless nights due to the noise  therefrom.

A resident, Agya Ewusi, said the emergence of illegal mining in the area had cost fishermen their livelihood of fishing for shrimps and tilapia. He expressed concern about the inaction of the district assembly concerning  the activities of the ‘galamsey’ operators.

Source: Moses Aklorbortu/ Daily Graphic

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