Galamsey in Kyebi worrying – Gold Recovery Director
The Director of Gold Recovery Ghana Limited, Johan Zeitsman, has bemoaned the adverse effects of illegal mining activities at Kyebi in the Eastern Region.
He said the activity, popularly know as galamsey, had led to deforestation, land degradation as well as water destruction which had, consequently, led to water quality impairment in the area.
Mr Zeitsman said this while giving a presentation at the 2020 Gold Expo Report which was held in Kyebi in the Eastern Region under the theme, “Destruction and Reclamation.”
Mercury contamination
Speaking on the topic, “Mercury Contamination in ‘Galamsey,” he elaborated on how artisanal and small-scale gold miners (ASGM) carry out their activities in the Kyebi township.
Firstly, he said the miners mined the ore using excavators leading to deforestation; grind the ore into smaller grains and shifted ore which also introduced fine particles into the air.
Furthermore, Mr Zeitsman said the fine grain slurry were washed into water bodies while exposing tailings containing mercury into water bodies and other compartments.
He said the operators also burnt amalgam gold to evaporate mercury into the atmosphere as well as other compartments.
Human rights
He further stressed on human right issues such as child labour in such activities and mercury contamination through indiscriminate disposal of tailings and spillage of mercury.
According to Mr Zeitsman 18 blocks of mercury contaminated sites were surveyed and cleaned-up in the area.
