Mine Collapse: Galamseyers still mining – Akrokerri Assemblyman

Some illegal small-scale miners (galamsyers) are still continuing with their illicit trade in spite of the recent collapse of a mining pit which trapped and killed at least one person at Akrokerri in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region, the Assemblyman for Akrokerri Sampakrom, Mr Emmanuel Tandoh has revealed.

He said in an interview with Kwabena Prah Jnr. on the Ghana Yensom show on Accra100.5FM on Friday, 19 July 2019 that the miners defied the disaster and continued with their operations.

Several galamseyers were feared buried alive deep within the belly of the pit that caved in on Thursday, 18 July 2019.

The pit is not far from a public toilet in the middle of the community.

It is not clear how many people were swallowed by the pit but one body was pulled out while one injured survivor was taken to the hospital.

The government has imposed a ban on all illegal mining activities in the country but galamsey activities still persist.

The Assemblyman said: “The galamseyers have been doing their activity in spite of the ban. Even when the pit collapsed on them, some of them continued with the mining after we helped remove some of the bodies.”

He added: “We have to be extra vigilant to ensure that this kind of activity does not go on at a time there has been a ban placed on it.”