Mr George Anyma, a Security manager at Adamus Resources, a mining company in the Ellembelle District, has called for the adoption of a multi-level approach to clamp down on illegal mining.

He noted that, the rate at which illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey,” was devastating the environment was so alarming, and that, proactive measures need to be taken to arrest the menace before it gets worse.

He was addressing the Western Regional House of Chiefs at the opening of a two day retreat at Beyin in the Jomoro district of the region.

The chiefs deliberated on the development of the region and governance in the chieftaincy institution.

Mr Anyama took them through the destruction caused by illegal mining to the environment in the region.

He said there were about 300,000 illegal miners in the country and 1,311 registered groups undertaking mining in the country.

He mentioned some communities most affected by galamsey in the region as Akango in the Nzema East, Nkroful and Telekubokazzo in the Ellembelle District, Bogoso in the Prestea/Huni Valley, Mpohor as well as alluvial mining in Pra and Ankobra Rivers.

He said some of the miners were foreigners from China and other nationalities from sub-Sahara African countries.

He said the miners used toxic substances, such as mercury, which is harmful to the miners and the environment.

The security manager indicated that the illegal miners used dangerous weapons and often attack security personnel, who attempt to arrest them whiles some of them disguise as armed robbers, robbing passengers in buses along the major roads in the region.

The Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Anhwianso , Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi, noted that, most of the youth involved in galamsey do not have employable skills.

As a result they view mining as a lucrative venture to survive on, and urged multinational companies in the region to provide training for them to end the illegal mining menace.

He said some large mining companies buy tailings from illegal miners, and that, it was encouraging them to continue the practice.