‘Galamsey’ operators invade Owere Mines
Four hundred illegal miners from 17 communities have allegedly taken over part of the concession of the Owere Mines in the Asante Akyem Central municipality in the Ashanti Region.
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A team from the National Security which went to the mines to flush out the miners could not contain the situation.
As of the time of going to press, the Asante Akyem Central Municipal Security Council was in a meeting to deliberate on how best to deal with the situation.
The angry illegal miners, who wielded dangerous weapons, including machetes and guns, overpowered the mines security and took total control of the facility.
The invasion follows a December 31, 2015 ultimatum given by the youth to have the concession given back to the indigenes or face the wrath of the people.
The illegal miners, referred to as ‘galamsey’ operators, made a litany of allegations against the company, including the non-payment of royalties, the dumping of tailings which contain cyanide into the Kyereben pit, thereby polluting the Apoposu River at Nyaboe, as well as failing to reclaim the land after operations.
The indigenes of the affected communities, led by Nana K. Boapiah, the Agyareago Gyasehene, told the Daily Graphic at Patriensa, a suburb of Konongo, that the invasion became imminent after officials failed to pay heed to calls that were followed by demonstrations in subsequent months.
Owere Mines
However, the management of the mines has expressed surprise at the turn of events, claiming that the company has paid tax of GH¢1.77 million to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) after a year of operations.
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The Mines Manager, Mr Kofi Nti, told the Daily Graphic that the communities and the traditional authorities failed to track and access their share of the royalties, saying the company could not be blamed for that.
He said normally when payment was made to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the GRA, it was paid into government chest and what was due the traditional authorities was paid through the Stool Lands Secretariat.
Test
The mining company is currently running a test programme and a feasibility study to fully assess the quantum of gold it can explore.
It took over the concession in 2012 and it is to begin full-scale operations by next year, after the concession had changed hands from different companies since 1931.
Mr Nti alleged that the aggrieved parties were being encouraged by a few disgruntled individuals who had been dislodged after they had operated illegally on the concession for some time.
Deception
However, the Secretary of the Asante Akyem Concerned Citizens Association, Mr Asare Bediako, insisted that the Owere Mines was given a prospecting licence and not a mining or exploration licence and urged the government to revoke it.
Death trap
He alleged that many children had been trapped over the years and some of them killed because the mined lands were not reclaimed.
But Mr Nti said currently the company was engaged in ‘care and maintenance’ and was yet to begin operations and could, therefore, not be said to be encroaching on other lands.