Three illegal miners have been confirmed dead after a mining pit collapsed on them at Akyem Apenamang near Akwatia in Denkyembuor District in the Eastern region.
The deceased have been identified as Akosua Asantewaa, 41, Yaw Ntiamoah,35, and Yaw Bismark,25.
The incident occurred Wednesday, September 8, at about 11:50 am
The deceased persons were reportedly engaged in illegal mining when the pit caved in on them.
Assembly member for Akyem Apinamang John Boakye said he received information at about 12:00pm that a gold mining pit has collapsed on some miners around the old Apinamang cemetery which reported the incident to Police at about 2:00 pm.
He said, together with the police, they rushed to the scene and found three bodies covered with leaves.
The bodies were conveyed and deposited at the St.Dominic Hospital Morgue at Akwatia.
The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh told Starr News Akwatia police has commenced investigation into the incident.
Illegal mining has resurfaced in many parts of the Eastern Region causing destruction to the river bodies and the environment at large.
The Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong recently engaged in stakeholder meetings in the mining districts in the region and issued a stern warning to all mining companies in the Region to operate strictly within the remit of the mining regulations to enhance responsible and sustainable mining.
According to the Regional Minister, the era where mining companies engaged in infractions but escaped unpunished is a thing of the past.
He said President Akufo Addo-led government is committed to securing a sustainable environment for the future generation, therefore, will ensure that forest reserves, water bodies, and all other natural ecosystems are secured and protected from pollution and degradation.
He hinted at plans to aggressively tackle the illegal mining menace.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
