The District Chief Executive for Atiwa East also Chairman of District Security Council (DISEC), Ernest Owusu Ntim, has described emerging illegal activities in decommissioned, backfilled and reclaimed mining sites as a major post-mining challenge confronting authorities in the district and threatening environmental restoration and sustainability efforts.
His comments follow the tragic collapse of a hillside of mining site at Asaman Tamfoe, which claimed the lives of seven illegal miners.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 30, 2026, when the victims allegedly entered the decommissioned mining site of Extra Gold Mining Company to search for gold using basic mining tools.
The tragedy has brought renewed attention to the dangers associated with illegal mining activities at sites that have already been mined and reclaimed.
Speaking to journalists when he led the District Security Council to the scene on Monday, the DCE Ernest Owusu Ntim said the challenge begins after mining companies complete their operations and compelled by the Assembly’s taskforce to reclaim the land.
He said despite backfilling and reclamation efforts, some young people return to the sites to search for residual gold deposits using shovels and pickaxes.
“This has been the challenges that we are going through, especially being a District Chief Executive in a mining area like this,” he said.
“This issue has to do with what we call the post-mining. When the miners finish and then you force them to do their reclamation, you find at least our youth coming back with their own means, not trying to use heavy equipment, but with shovels and pickaxes in order to just get their daily bread.”
Mr. Owusu Ntim described post-mining activities as a major challenge, saying authorities continue to struggle with preventing people sneaking at night to reclaimed sites.
“The post-mining issue is a major challenge that we are facing,” the DCE stressed.
He explained that the site where the incident occurred had been mined and reclaimed, with mining equipment removed before the illegal miners allegedly returned to the area.
“This is a mining site and they have mined here and reclaimed all the land, as you can see yourself. They have even removed all the equipment here,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that our youth decided to come and involve themselves in this.”
The DCE said the District Assembly had established a task force to monitor mining activities but acknowledged the difficulties involved in preventing people from accessing such sites especially at night.
He said the Assembly would intensify efforts to educate and sensitise residents about the dangers associated with illegal mining, particularly beneath unstable hillsides and reclaimed lands.
The DCE, together with the District Security Council, Police, National Intelligence Bureau, NADMO and officials of the Minerals Commission, visited the scene to assess the situation and investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
Authorities are also assessing whether there are further cracks in the area that could pose additional danger and whether heavy equipment may be required to stabilise or remove unsafe portions of the hillside.
The Deputy Eastern Regional NADMO Director in charge of Technical and Disaster Risk Reduction, Emmanuel Konja Tullah, said recurring deaths from illegal mining activities and other mining-related incidents in Eastern Region have become a major concern, calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at mining sites across the region.
Mr Tullah said concession owners and other operators must take responsibility for safety and secure their lands from illegal miners
“We have had a series of galamsey-related deaths numbering not less than 30 within the region in 2026. The concession owners must strengthen their oversight activities, ensuring the necessary coordination and security measures so these incidents do not recur.”
He said NADMO would collaborate with concession owners, mining communities and other relevant state agencies to enhance public education on the dangers associated with illegal mining
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
