EPA seizes three excavators to enforce ban on mining in river bodies
The EPA recently issued a directive ordering a complete halt to mining activities within and around river bodies.
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The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has intensified its efforts to curb illegal mining along water bodies, confiscating three excavators at Pasoro, a community along the tributaries of the Offin River in the Ashanti Region.
The EPA recently issued a directive ordering a complete halt to mining activities within and around river bodies. However, inspections at Pasoro revealed that unauthorized mining operations had persisted despite the ban.
During a visit to the site, EPA Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, expressed concern over the extent of environmental degradation. Though no miners were present at the time, their equipment—including three excavators—remained at the site, indicating ongoing activity.
She described the situation as alarming, emphasizing that urgent intervention is necessary. “This is my first visit since assuming office, and the level of devastation is heartbreaking. We cannot survive without clean water, and if our taps run dry due to pollution, it becomes an emergency we must address immediately.”
The EPA has reiterated its commitment to prosecuting individuals who defy the directive and continue mining in restricted areas.
Beyond illegal mining, the tributaries of the Offin River are also being impacted by unregulated sand-winning activities, which have led to significant land degradation.
The EPA has pledged to introduce stricter regulations to mitigate further environmental damage.