Latest news with #illegalmining
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Multiple men face serious consequences after authorities uncover illegal destruction in protected area: 'It is a hazard to our nation and the region'
Eight people in eastern Ghana have been arrested for illegal mining, according to Joy Online. The mining had been polluting local water supplies, but miners had continued regardless. The local government's Eastern Regional Security Council confiscated 24 excavator batteries, 16 pumping machines, a chainsaw, three monitors, five control boards, three single-barrel guns, two pump-action rifles, cartridges, and cash in the police action. While the exact type of mining wasn't announced, Ghana is the sixth-largest gold producer in the world, per and another mining operation was recently shut down for illegally harvesting gold. Extractive industries have deep human and environmental tolls. Child labor has been employed in other African nations for mining, while tailing ponds have rendered rivers poisonous in others. Some mining operations have destroyed great ape habitat, adding more pressure on stressed populations. Regulations can help improve working and ecological conditions. South Africans, for example, are calling for improved regulations to lessen environmental impacts, per the Conversation. Artisanal mining is especially dangerous since it lacks safety protocols and government oversight, but properly regulating it may yield better working standards by documenting the chain of custody of minerals, the Atlantic Council revealed. Maintaining robust enforcement and strong laws against illegal mining can help preserve ecosystems and vital water supplies used by nearby communities. Gold mines in Australia and Idaho are just a few that have faced the legal limits of their operation. While arresting eight illegal miners is good news, there's more progress to be made. Ghana's president has already committed to banning mining in protected forests. Ghanaian authorities were resolute in continuing to crack down on ongoing illegal mining operations. "For the past days, we have been combing the Eastern region with our military and police to make sure the mandate by the president is obeyed," said regional minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, per Joy Online. "If you go around, our waters are so bad, the environment is destroyed, pits are uncovered, our forest is being destroyed. It is a hazard to our nation and the region, so for the few days our men have been on the ground and here you are with several excavators that have been seized from them." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Indonesia: Several killed in quarry collapse
West Java: A rock collapse at a limestone quarry in Indonesia on Friday resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, with another 10 missing, according to police. The incident took place in the city of Cirebon in West Java province at around 9:30 a.m. local time (0230 GMT). "We are now focusing on evacuating victims. Until now, eight people have been found dead, and 12 others were injured and have been taken to hospitals," a local police chief told AFP. Television footage showed excavators at the site moving large rocks while rescuers continued to look under debris for survivors. West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi said that the company operating the mine had been doing so illegally but that safety standards had been lacking. He said he had ordered the closure of the mine. "I decided to shut down the pit permanently, not just this pit but also other pits nearby," Dedi told Metro TV. A similar incident happened at the same mine in February, although no casualties were reported at the time. Mining accidents are common in Indonesia with safety protocols often being ignored. Last July, at least 23 people were killed and another 35 were reported missing after a landslide hit a remote village close to an illegal gold mine on the island of Sulawesi.
The Herald
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Pilgrims Rest bust sees 38 illegal mining suspects arrested
Illegal mining equipment was seized when police arrested 38 suspected illegal miners in Pilgrim's Rest. Thursday's raid was carried out at the town's Majax informal settlement. Spokesperson Capt Mpho Nonyane said the suspects are believed to be foreigners without valid documentation to be in South Africa. They were charged with contravention of the Immigration Act. 'Police investigators are working with officials from the home affairs department to ascertain the status of the arrested suspects.' Police confiscated illicit mining equipment, including 43 phendukas, motors, generators, steel balls and other mining equipment believed to be used in illegal mining activities, Nonyane said.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Mining in Motion Welcomes United Kingdom (UK) – Ghana Gold Program as Bronze Sponsor
The United Kingdom - Ghana Gold Program (UKGGP) has confirmed its participation as a Bronze Sponsor at the highly anticipated – Ghana's premier gathering for mining stakeholders, scheduled for June 2 – 4, 2025 in Accra. Implemented by UK-based TAG International in partnership with the Ghanaian government, the UKGGP aims to combat illegal mining, promote the formalization of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), and enhance miners' technical capabilities through targeted training and capacity-building initiatives. At Mining in Motion, UKGGP representatives will engage with Ghanaian regulators, mining stakeholders, and international partners to address the pressing challenges posed by illegal mining and explore best practices for sustainable and inclusive mining development. Despite generating over $5 billion annually in export revenue, Ghana's ASGM sector loses up to $2.3 billion to illegal operations - a gap that can be significantly reduced through effective formalization. In response, the UKGGP is spearheading community development and skills training efforts in mineral-rich regions such as Aboso, Prestea, and Bondaye, aiming to equip miners with the tools needed to operate within the formal mining value chain. Mining in Motion, with its strong focus on ASGM empowerment, formalization and environmental rehabilitation and sustainability, provides an ideal platform for UKGGP to showcase its mission and impact. UKGGP representatives will participate in high-level panel discussions, exclusive networking sessions, and project showcases, highlighting initiatives aimed at empowering ASGM operators, promote environmental rehabilitation, and drive sustainable mining practices in Ghana. Organized by the Ashanti Green Initiative – led by Oheneba Kwaku Duah, Prince of Ghana's Ashanti Kingdom – in collaboration with Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, World Bank, and the World Gold Council, with the support of Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the summit offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact: Sales@ About Mining in Motion Summit: Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting small-scale miners and medium- to large-scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Who be di Ghana opposition party businessman 'Chairman Wontumi' wey authorities dey pursue?
Police and di economic and organised crime office (EOCO) dey pursue one ogbonge opposition party chairman ova plenti allegations. Bernard Antwi Boasiako (alias Chairman Wontumi) bin dey under pressure as di state dey chase am about im involvement for illegal mining (galamsey) and oda financial crimes. Dem bin rush di Ashanti regional chairman of di opposition NPP to hospital afta im allegedly fall sick during interrogation by EOCO. Dem arrest Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias "chairman Wontumi" on Tuesday afta im report to di police CID office, a day afta dem grant am bail wit two sureties. Di businessman chop accuse say im dey involve for illegal mining (galamsey), im dey pollute water bodies and also entering forest reserve without authorization wit im mining company. Last week, security pipo don go im house for Kumasi wit search warrant but oga Wontumi im private security no allow di officers to enter di house - but im gree to report imsef for di police station on Monday 26 May. Na so officers from EOCO don arrest di controversial opposition party chairman afta im visit di police CID Tuesday afternoon. Party supporters and dia leaders gather wia dem spend di night for EOCO office to demand di release of dia chairman. Dem cause kasala wit police and soldiers for dia wia some bin burn tyres wia dem dey chant. Afta six hours of interrogation, Oga Wontumi say im fall sick wia dem rush am to hospital. Im lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi confam say, "we neva finish di interrogation bifor my client fall sick, na so dem carry am go hospital." "If dem bin treat am wey im dey fit, we go come back to continue di interrogation, unless di doctors tok say im no dey well." Di arrest of chairman Wontumi dey in connection wit anoda mata different from di illegal mining allegations. Im lawyer say "we don receive anoda writ of summons by Exim Bank wey we go respond to di mata, we go mount defence for our client – dis na civil mata, but for di ones wey be criminal case, we go mount defence for oga Wontumi." Party leaders and di supporters tok say di way dem arrest dia chairman, no good. National youth organiser Salam Mustapha say di way dem arrest dia party member na "rambo-style." "Dis na democracy, di goment no fit to use state security to intimidate political opponents. Why dem go arrest pesin dis way? Dem fit to invite am wey im go present imsef. But to treat pesin like dis, na unfair." Oga Wontumi no be di only officer for di opposition party wey dey under investigation for various allegations of corruption Di former signals bureau boss Kwabena Adu-Boahene and im wife dey under trial say dem allegedly cause financial loss to di state wey dem also divert state funds. Di former director and di board chairman for di Ghana infrastructure and minerals fund (GIIF) also bin dey before court ova one $2m sky train mata. Di attorney general bin dey pursue oda former goment appointees ova alleged corruption among oda tins. Who be chairman Wontumi and why e dey popular? Chairman Wontumi na ogbonge pesin for di new patriotic party (NPP) – wey im be di chairman of di party for dia stronghold di Ashanti Region. Im dey popular sake of some of di tins im dey tok and how im dey handle tins. Im na old student of Prempeh College. Di businessman man get plenty businesses – im get mining companies, im dey for di construction and oda industries. For 2022, im declare say im wan buy Chelsea football club; im tok say im submit $3.1bn bid to buy di English club. Di businessman also bin get media business – wit TV and radio station. Three years ago, im carry wetin im describe as "pure gold" to im station wia im display for live TV. "Dis na solid moni, dis na pure gold, we no dey joke for dis kontri. Solid moni," chairman Wontumi tok as im dey display five bars of gold for di TV. Chairman Wontumi na one of di financiers of im party – na so im dey so powerful, especially during di last eight years under di NPP goment. Many civil society groups bin dey petition di police CID under di Nana Akufo-Addo goment say Chairman Wontumi im mining companies dey involve for illegal mining for di forest reserves. But di president at di time, Nana Akufo-Addo tok say di chairman company no dey involve for illegal mining even though di minister for lands and natural resources at di time, Samuel Abu Jinapor confam say di party chairman im company dey involve for illegal mining. Di environmental groups bin petition di police CID again dis year afta di elections say make di police investigate am, na dat be one of di reasons wey dem invite am to di CID headquarters. Despite im popularity for di NPP, im dey divide opinion among di party leadership. Im wan rise from im post as Ashanti regional chairman to become di national chairman of di opposition party.
