Mpatasia Yaw Nkwanta, Ghana — Following the tragic deaths of four miners over the span of four months, restoration efforts have been initiated at an illegal mining site in the Atwima Mponua District, of the Ashanti Region. The most recent fatalities occurred on April 1, spurring local authorities to cover the exposed pits that have become deadly traps for illicit gold seekers.
To prevent further loss of life and curb the illegal mining that plagues the region, known locally as “galamsey,” the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has directed the immediate rehabilitation of the land. This effort also aims to revive the area’s potential for agricultural use. The bodies of the last two victims, identified only as Kwame Charles and Ben, were retrieved with the help of community members, police, and security agencies.
During a site inspection on April 10, 2025, work was already underway, with heavy machinery moving earth to fill the gaping holes left behind by unregulated mining activities. Excavations such as these are common in rural Ghana, where strict enforcement against unauthorized mining often falters due to the remote location and the allure of quick profits from gold deposits.
Salifu Karim, the Assembly Member for Mpatasia Ahenbronum, emphasized the community’s consensus on ending the perilous operations. “We have all agreed to fill the pit so that no one else will go there and lose their life,” Karim remarked, reflecting a resolute local stance against the dangers of unsanctioned mining.
While on-site, Hajj Mohammed Nasir Ibrahim, the acting Regional Director of NADMO, pointed out that although significant progress had been made to cover part of the mining site, complete restoration was still in process. Ibrahim underlined the necessity of thorough rehabilitation to ensure illegal miners are deterred from returning.
Moreover, Ibrahim disclosed ongoing collaborations with district police to maintain robust surveillance around the clock. He stressed the importance of intelligence in thwarting illegal mining operations, warning that anyone caught trespassing or mining illegally would face severe punishment.
Illegal mining not only poses immediate threats to life but also raises broader concerns about environmental degradation and the sustainability of local communities. Despite repeated government crackdowns, these unauthorized activities continue to claim lives, sparking outcry for more decisive and effective intervention.
A pivotal 2021 study that analyzed media-reported accidents in Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector underscored the alarming trends in mining-related fatalities. It highlighted that out of 36 recorded incidents, only five resulted in single deaths, while the majority caused multiple fatalities, totaling 622 deaths over the observed period. The study starkly indicated an average annual fatality rate of 44 in small-scale mining, far outpacing that of the large-scale sector, which averages around five deaths per year.
These figures paint a grim picture of the small-scale mining industry, often marked by inadequate safety regulations and oversight, prompting calls from across the nation for a renewed focus on safer, regulated mining practices that ensure the well-being of workers and their communities.