Source: newsthemegh.com\MLNR
Concerning the explosion that happened in the Anto-Abosso area of the Shama District in the Western region, the Minerals Commission has made disturbing revelations that shed light on the illegal activities that contributed to the catastrophic disaster.
The owner of the location where the explosion occurred, Sta Addsams Enterprise, was allegedly operating unlawfully, according to the commission.
According to allegations, the corporation applied for a Restricted Mining Lease expressly for granite quarrying, and on March 20, 2023, a formal lease suggestion was authorized.
However, the company’s operations were illegal at the time of the explosion since the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources had not officially granted the company a lease.
Additionally, according to the Minerals Commission’s statement, the explosion site also included living amenities for the corporation, including a number of different buildings and containerized constructions. Empty barrels that were thought to have once held diesel, more lubricants, cigarette remains, and oxy-acetylene cylinders were discovered during an inspection of the location.
Tragically, the explosion completely destroyed all of the site’s facilities, including light cars and equipment close to the residential buildings, resulting in the verified fatalities of five people.
The Minerals Commission further claims that the business operated at night, most likely in an effort to avoid being discovered by the commission’s inspectors and the local task team, which is made up of police and sand winners and quarry Association members.
Statement Below:
MINERALS COMMISSION
PRESS STATEMENT
RE: EXPLOSION AT A QUARRY SITE IN ASSORKO IN THE SHAMA DISTRICT OF THE WESTERN REGION
The Western Regional Head of the Minerals Commission at Takoradi (the “Commission”) was notified by the Assemblyman of the Anto-Abosso area in the Shama District at about 11.50pm on 9th September 2023, regarding an explosion at a quarry site.
A team of Mine Inspectors from the Takoradi Office of the Commission arrived at the site of the explosion at about 6.45 am on 10th September 2023. The area of the explosion is about 1.5 km away from the nearest settlement, Kobenandohkrom.
The inspectors were joined by officials from other State institutions comprising NADMO, Environmental Protection Agency, The Ghana Fire Service, Ambulance Service, the Ghana Police Service and officials from the Shama District Assembly to inspect the site.
The Commission, after the preliminary investigations can confirm that the site of the explosion is a subject of an application by a company with the name Sta Addsams Enterprise. The company has applied for a Restricted Mining Lease for granite commonly referred to as a quarry. The recommendation for the company to be considered for the grant of a formal lease was granted on 20th March 2023. At the time of the explosion, the company has not issued a lease by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
Secondly, the site of the explosion is the residential facilities for the company. This included buildings and containerized structures. The inspectors also found at the site, empty drums believed to have contained diesel, other lubricants, cigarette pieces, oxy-acetylene cylinders were found at the scene.
Additionally, all the facilities including light vehicles and equipment close to the residential structures on site were destroyed and five (5) persons are confirmed dead and some injured persons were sent to various hospitals within Sekondi-Takoradi for treatment.
The administrator of the enterprise informed the inspectors that the company was working at night ostensibly to prevent them from being noticed by the inspectors of the Commission and the local task force comprising the police and members of the sand winners and quarry Association.
A routine monitoring visit by the inspectors from the Takoradi Office to the site revealed that the enterprise was engaged in site cleaning and preparatory works and had conducted run of the machines and equipment on site without the approval of the Commission.
The enterprise was therefore notified by the inspectors that such activities are illegal and was directed to cease any activity on the site until the lease is granted and all other permits and approvals for the storage, transportation and use of any substance to undertake operations are obtained.
In this regard, pending the completion of a full investigation into the cause of the explosion, the enterprise had no lease, approval or permit to undertake any activity or operation at the site.
Consequently, the activity of the enterprise was illegal. The Commission wishes to remind the media and the public that the Inspectorate Division is committed to ensuring that all quarry sites are licensed and all the requisite approvals and permits are obtained before operations are undertaken.
SIGNED
MANAGER
CORPORATE AFFAIRS
