The Ghana Chamber of Mines has expressed deep sorrow over the recent violent clashes between illegal miners and state security personnel in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
The Chamber extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and those injured in the incidents.
A statement signed by Dr. Sulemanu Koney, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber, strongly condemned illegal mining activities, emphasizing their detrimental impact on safety, the environment, and the mining sector as a whole.
The condolences followed a recent clashes between illegal miners (galamsey) and security forces which led to the death of seven persons.
The Chamber acknowledged the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and commended the work of security agencies.
However, it urged the government to adopt a comprehensive and multi-stakeholder approach to address the root causes of the pervasive problem.
Dr. Koney highlighted the critical role of the mining sector in national development and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to prevent such tragic events.
The Chamber expressed its readiness to work with the government, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, and local communities to promote sustainable mining practices and maximize the benefits of the sector for all Ghanaians.
The statement urged all stakeholders in the affected areas to remain calm and exercise restraint to prevent such clashes.
