‘Give Us Support, We Will Restore Depleted Environment In 4 Months’-EXOPASS Tells Gov’t

Excavators Operators Association of Ghana (EXOPASS GH) has called on the government to provide them with the requisite support to assist in combating environmental issues in the country.

According to the Association, illegal mining or galamsey which has become a national canker can best be tackled by EXOPASS GH.

The chairman of EXOPASS GH, Mr. Samuel Barnes addressing the media indicated that if the government is able to provide them with the necessary support, excavator operators will be able to restore the destructed environment at the mining areas in just four months.

According to the EXOPASS GH, “its members are scattered across the mining areas in the country and have great interest in partnering with the government to deal with illegal mining issues”.

The group emphasized that in terms of fighting galamsey issues, they have a critical role to play since they are always in touch with the illegal miners.

Mr. Barnes, also noted that “they believe most of the environmental problems in the mining sites are created by the operators and giving them support will help restore the depleted environment. We are currently working closely with the Chamber of Small-scale Mining Industry in Ghana (COSMIG) which is conducting research in the various mining regions”.

The group appealed to the government not to prevent registered mining companies from engaging in small-scale mining since the industry contributes up to 43% of the nation’s total gold production.

Moreover, the group alleged that the mining industry provides job opportunities for over one million citizens, especially the youths in the mining areas.