By: Barabara Kumah
The Atewa East District Security Council (DISEC) has issued a strong caution to mining operators within the district, stating that both large-scale and small-scale miners risk legal action if they neglect to restore lands degraded by their operations.
According to the Council, the warning stems from the failure of some miners to honour commitments made to the District Assembly’s Mining Committee, describing their response as slow and largely indifferent.
The commitments followed a district-wide profiling exercise that identified mining concession holders and mapped out degraded sites, an initiative introduced under a community-driven strategy to address illegal mining and environmental destruction.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, December 17, after inspecting reclamation activities at Anyinam, DISEC Chairman Ernest Owusu Ntim, reaffirmed the Council’s determination to ensure mining activities are conducted responsibly to safeguard the environment, lives, and property.
He acknowledged that while a number of miners have begun reclamation efforts in compliance with the agreement, several others remain noncompliant despite continuous engagement.
Mr. Ntim warned that persistent defaulters would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
