By Erica Apeatua Addo
Wangarakrom (W/R), April 30, GNA – The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, has conducted a simulation exercise to help address illegal mining conflicts peacefully.
UMaT was assisted by officers from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Ambulance Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Prisons Service, National Disaster Management Organisation, and Mining companies to undertake the exercise at Wangarakrom in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
The exercise formed part of activities to observe this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work which falls on April 28 of every year.
The theme for 2025 is: “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at work.”
Speaking at the event, Dr Eric Stemn, the Coordinator for the Disaster and Emergency Management Hub in UMaT, said because they were in a mining community, annually they tried to identify key community issues, and then stimulate that scenario to test their emergency response teams preparedness.
“So, this year, we undertook a simulation exercise focusing on illegal miners encroaching on the large-scale concession and how we can use dialog instead of the normal force and use of arms” he stated
Dr Stemn revealed that over the past four years, the University had worked closely with Gold Fields on this project to raise awareness about potential risks and challenges, and to promote proactive measures to mitigate them.
Additionally, he said: “One of the major lessons we are learning from this exercise is to ensure proper coordination among the security agencies, and I think gradually, we are achieving that particular purpose.
“For instance, in Tarkwa mining area, l am aware that there has been a lot of engagement with the security agencies and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice has also been brought on board for them to understand that even though someone has engaged in an illegal act, that does not take away his rights.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Raymond Kofi Erzuah, Divisional Police Commander, Tarkwa, who led the exercise, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise and lauded the officers for their dedication and teamwork.
He, however, warned that anyone engaging in illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves would face the law, as per President John Dramani Mahama’s directive.
ACP Erzuah advised anyone, or group interested in mining to go through the formal processes and obtain necessary permits, adding, “Your life is precious: don’t risk it through illegal mining. Your family and the nation need you.
Mr Prince Essuah, on behalf of Dr Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, the General Manager of Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, highlighted that, “We face difficulties due to illegal miners invading our sites. We deal with huge equipment, and the risk is that you can run over any of them, and we know the implications. “
He emphasised that, “when it happens that way, the community will come after us, so we protect our sites through regular patrols and community awareness programmes. It’s a tough task, but with persistence and community engagement, we expect good outcome.”
Mr Charles Opoku Amoateng, a member of the planning committee for the programme for UMaT, an adjunct lecturer and the immediate past health and safety manager, Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, on his part noted that they were pleased with the results because the community was not informed prior to the exercise.
He said: “As the team arrived, with the sirens blaring people started asking what was going on. Some came to the scene not just to watch, but to check if their relatives were arrested so they could plead for leniency. So, the exercise is gaining the awareness we are expecting.”
GNA
JP/BM