Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited has announced a partial suspension of its operations following severe flooding caused by illegal mining activities along the Oun River. The flooding, which occurred on the night of August 19, 2024, has significantly impacted the company’s underground mining operations, particularly at Shaft 4, Levels 6 and 7.
According to a statement from the company’s Public Relations Department, heavy rains triggered the flooding when water from the Oun River entered the mine through unauthorized mining pits, some of which were illegally connected to the company’s workings. This led to the submersion of crucial equipment in the affected areas, with an estimated 80,000 cubic meters of water flooding the underground sections of the mine.
The company confirmed that all 400 workers who were on duty underground at the time of the incident were safely evacuated, and no casualties were reported. However, the flooding has caused significant damage to equipment worth millions of dollars and resulted in substantial production delays.
In response to the incident, the company has initiated an assessment of the floodwater volume and its pumping capacity. Preliminary findings indicate that it will take approximately eight weeks to remove the water and conduct a comprehensive safety audit before operations can safely resume.
Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited has called on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to curb illegal mining activities along the riverbank, which continue to pose significant risks to both the company’s operations and the illegal miners themselves. The company has urged for urgent support to mitigate the current situation and prevent future occurrences.
The company has assured stakeholders that it will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Joshua Asaah
