More than 24 hours after small scale mining pit collapsed on miners at Gbane in the Talensi District, rescue team are still having it tough to locate the remaining miners.
3 bodies have been removed since the incident occurred on Wednesday. The 3 bodies were identified as Denis, Rasta and Kofi Acheampong. The bodies have been conveyed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Morgue. The incident happened at a new mining site known as Obuasi in Gbane where galamsey operators have discovered gold there for about 3 weeks now.
According to eye witnesses, the miners did not use any supporting structures due to the rush in performing the illegal activity leading to the collapse of the pit. Even though 3 bodies were discovered from the debris, as at the time of filling this report, miners at the site say the number of miners trapped in the bit is more than the 3 found.
Some miners at the site said the police officers who are supposed to ward off miners at the site have been taking bribe from their leaders to pave way for them to do the galamsey activities. The miners are therefore blaming the police officers for not playing their responsible roles which led to the disaster.
The Minerals Commission Act 1993 (Act 450) is responsible for the regulation and management of utilization of the mineral resources in Ghana. This same Act also co-ordinates and implements policies relating to mining. But the issue is different in Gbane where galamsey operators and mining organizations operate without registering or obtaining license from the commission.In this regard, Upper East Regional Mining Commissioner of the Mineral Commission, Ernest Okyere speaking to A1 Radio’s ‘Day Break Upper East’ on Thursday bemoaned that the mining pit which collapsed on Wednesday leading to the death of 3 is not legal or licensed. He therefore urged miners to properly acquire the necessary documents permitting them to operate.
By: James Adombire and Prosper Bayerta/A1radioonline.com/Ghana
