Illegal mining ( Galamsey ) activities are alarming in the Juaben municipality of the Ashanti region particularly Bomfa , Adumasa , Achiase where the activities of these illegal miners has highly polluted the Enru river which takes its source from the Bosome Freho district.
During a visit to Bomfa the illegal miners after mining and reclaiming some of the mined pits have polluted the river in the area which crops cultivating farmers who normally use the river for drinking, cooking and farming purposes make it very difficult to use the river because of the polluted nature with poisonous chemicals by the galamseyers.
Some farmers who spoke with the Environmental Reporting Journalists at Bomfa boldly mentioned the names of one Akeseh and Frank all miners who the farmers claim they are responsible for the pollution of the Enru river which is a source of worry to them the farmers.
Again, the farmers lamented to the Environmental Reporting Journalists that they go into a lot of fear and intimidation including threatening of life from these miners just because they have been complaining of their rivers polluted.
The miners have flouted the mining laws by mining very close to the Enru river at a distance and radius which minerals commission does not entertain and agree to.
When contacted by the leader of the Environmental Reporting Journalists, Isaac Ochem, via phone Mr Akese admitted that he together with other miners work from different mining sites in Bomfa but he is not responsible for the river pollution in the area .
The assembly member for the Bomfa electoral area, Hon Innocent in a telephone interview also admitted that indeed there is an ongoing mining activity in Bomfa but he has always educated the miners to do the right thing by following the rules and regulations governing the small-scale mining activities.
He commended Mr Akeseh for embarking upon a reclamation exercise after mining activities and engaging into responsible small-scale mining in the area.
