The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has imposed an immediate two-week suspension on all mining activities in Nweneso No. 1 and No. 2 in the Atwima Kwanwoma District to allow for an intensive land reclamation exercise.
The directive, announced by the Deputy Regional Security Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullah Umaru Nje, is aimed at restoring mining sites that have suffered severe environmental degradation.
Speaking during an inspection of mining areas in the district, Alhaji Nje said the decision followed an emergency RCC meeting convened after receiving reports on the extent of environmental damage caused by mining activities.
“For the next two weeks, no mining activity apart from reclamation will be permitted. There will be strict inspections within this period to ensure that most of these degraded lands are fully restored,” he stated.
He explained that the temporary ban forms part of a pilot initiative by the RCC, which could be extended to other mining districts across the Ashanti Region as authorities intensify efforts to protect the environment.
The Deputy Regional Security Coordinator warned mining operators that failure to comply with reclamation requirements could result in the loss of their equipment.
“The reclamation exercise has come to stay. It is either they comply by mining and reclaiming the land, or they risk losing their machinery forever,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, the RCC has commended Danmark Prime Company Limited for its efforts in restoring degraded mining lands in the area.
Alhaji Nje praised the company’s reclamation work as an example for other mining operators to follow, urging firms across the region to adopt responsible mining practices.
The Operations Manager of Danmark Prime Company Limited, Mr Robert Dambo, disclosed that the company has so far reclaimed about 10 acres of degraded land and remains committed to restoring more affected areas.
He added that the company will collaborate with the Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly to plant trees on reclaimed lands to help restore vegetation and improve environmental sustainability.
