Stop devastating mining practice – Otumfuo

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has charged the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop the devastation of the nation’s forests and water bodies through mining.
He said the institutions should properly supervise and monitor small-scale miners, particularly those operating in remote areas.
“I am saddened by the extent to which our environment is being degraded on daily basis due to the activities of miners”, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said.
He said this when the management of the Minerals Commission led by its newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Tony Aubynn, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi.
The King said he found it disturbing that in spite of the many laws and policies in place to promote safe mining to protect the environment the nation was far from achieving this.
He criticised chiefs who aided illegal mining in their communities, and said it was shameful.
The Asantehene said that as custodians, they had a responsibility to lead the campaign to safeguard the environment and maintain biodiversity.
Dr Aubynn said the Commission would do everything it could to tackle the illegal mining menace.