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Minister sacks nine mine inspectors

The Minister of lands and natural resources has relieved nine mine inspectors for failing to ensure effective supervision.

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The nine, who are officers of the Minerals Commission, were asked to proceed on leave after the Minster toured galamsey-plagued town of Daboase in the Western Region where a water treatment plant had to shut down due to activities of illegal small-scale mining activities.

Other areas that have been destroyed by the activities of illegal miners in the region include Prestea, Dominase, Dwira Takunta and Hiawa.

The Minister said that the mine inspectors had failed to ensure effective supervision and compliance with the mining rules and regulations.

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He added that the names of the affected officers will be made public in the course of next week.

Mr Amewu had earlier said that he will take action against a mining inspector who was found drunk during the ministerial tour of some galamsey areas.

"How can such a person be responsible for monitoring? ...If you put people like this to work, there is no way you can expect any accuracy in terms of monitoring", he told the media on Thursday, April 2017.

“We are asking that he immediately be transferred to Accra. He is going to work in my office."

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He had also assured that all the illegal small scale miners who left the mining sites following the anti-galamsey campaign will not be allowed to return.

A number of excavator operators have reportedly withdrawn their equipment from the illegal mining sites as the ultimatum given by the government to clamp down on illegal mining expired on Wednesday.

Mr Amewu who visited some illegal mining sites to assess the situation said his Ministry will ensure that all excavators withdrawn will not return to the mining sites.

"I know these guys are going out with the intention of returning but that will not happen this time around. They should take it from me. This time, we as a country, not as a government, collectively have agreed that enough is enough," he said.

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He added that his outfit will keep a close eye on the various sites that have become known for illegal mining activities.

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