By Dennis Peprah, GNA
Atuna, (B/A), April 9, GNA - Small scale miners, at Atuna in the Jaman South District of the Brong-Ahafo Region, have refuted allegations that their operations have destroyed river bodies and acres of cocoa and cashew plantations.
They told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that though they had license to operate and had acquired mine concession at Atuna, they had not started actual mining activities in the town because of misunderstanding between them and the people.
Nana Birago Kani, the queen of Atuna, a border town, is alleging that illegal mining activities going on in her town had left her people, predominantly farmers, jobless because the miners had taken over their farms.
According to the Queen mother, the unscrupulous activities of the illegal miners had destroyed the Atuna river and other water bodies, which served as the major sources of drinking water in the community.
Nana Afari Owusu, the Spokesman for the small scale miners told the GNA that because of the misunderstanding between them and the community, they had not been able to transport their excavators and other mine equipment to the town.
He said because small scale miners were legallly bonded to operate, their activities were controled by laws and the miners ought to strictly adhere to all requirements as failure to do so would make them lose their operational licenses.
Nana Owusu condemned the unscrupulous and uncontrolled illegal mining activities in the country, saying small scale miners had to pay GH¢6,000.00 to the Environmental Protection Agency for yearly renewal of mining permit.
He said the small scale miners were ready to dialogue with the chiefs and people of Atuna.
But, Nana Patrick Koosono II, the Head of the Krontri family of Atuna, said the chiefs in the area would fight with their blood to stop the miners from coming to the community.
GNA
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