The Public Relations Officer of the Dunkwa Small Scale Miners Association, Peter Ayikwei, has refuted the assertion that members of the association are complicit in the destruction of forest reserves and river bodies.

Speaking at a climate event on illegal mining, the PRO argued that it is politically backed miners who are engaged in illegal mining activities, causing damage to the environment.

“No small-scale license is given in a forest reserve. No, no small-scale miner’s license is given in the forest reserves. Those in the forest reserves today, as I am talking to you, you can cross-check, are political miners. They are not small-scale miners, and they are illegal miners,” he argued.

He explained that while small-scale mining is highly regulated and compliant with mining laws, individuals with political backing tend to be the ones abusing the mining sector.

“The small-scale miner has no strength to enter into a forest reserve. We don't have that strength to go into the forest reserve,” he said.

The campaign against illegal mining has heightened again in recent times due to the destruction of several water bodies and forest reserves.

GA/KA