Regional News of Monday, 21 May 2012

Source: GNA

Chief says illegal mining endangering operations of AngloGold Ashanti

The Acting President of the Adansi Traditional Council, Okofo Sobin Kan II, has said illegal mining (galamsey) is endangering the operations of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) at Obuasi.

He said at a thanksgiving service organised by the Obuasi Union of Churches to pray for the productivity of the mine, as well as the people in the municipality.

Okofo Sobin Kan said, illegal mining was disturbing the operations of AGA and the environment and called for the attention of “the government, nananom, the municipal assembly, the church and politicians”.

He appealed to the government to help the illegal miners to obtain license to operate their own small scale mines, and drew attention to the hazards in illegal mining that had led to deaths.

Mr. John Alexander Ackon, the Municipal Chief Executive, appealed to management and the employees to remain focused so as to overcome the present challenges confronting the mine.

Delivering the sermon on the theme “Persevering to attain God’s promise” Reverend Ben Mensah, Secretary of the Union of Churches, appealed to management and workers of the mine to avoid complacency and explore new ways of getting things done.**