Instead, he stressed the need for miners, especially, those in the artisanal and small-scale sector to embrace new environmentally-friendly mining methods.

He made the call when he spoke on “Epa Hoa Daben“ a socio-political afternoon talk show on Happy FM in Accra on Monday, May 1, 2023.

For two hours, the E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman spoke to the host of the show, Don Kwabena Prah Junior on matters relating to“ Tackling the illegal mining menace” and “ Promoting Responsible Gold Mining for Sustainable Development.”

Cancers, other dangers

Mercury is an internationally banned and harmful chemical. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it is “one of the most dangerous chemicals to human health and the environment.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining is particularly hazardous, and the health effects on vulnerable populations are enormous.

“The inhalation of mercury vapour can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal. The inorganic salts of mercury are corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested,” says the WHO.

Other studies link mercury exposure to cancer risk among people in artisanal and small-scale mining communities.

The E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman who just returned from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, in Paris, said communities near the mines are most heavily affected by mercury emissions as it causes both physical and mental disabilities, especially, among children.

Besides, the practice leads to contamination of water sources and soil, and subsequent accumulation in food staples such as fish.

Environmentally friendly practices

The E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman urged gold mining companies to invest in environmentally-friendly methods in their activities.

He welcomed the commissioning of some Gold Kacha plants by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2022, explaining that the deployment of the mercury-free technology which is environmentally friendly will protect the country’s water bodies, mining communities and the citizenry from the harmful effects of mercury.

Destruction

He bemoaned the massive destruction galamsey is causing to water bodies and lands including forest reserves and said the nation cannot afford to look on while the destruction continues.

He, therefore urged all Ghanaians to see illegal mining as a national crisis and join hands to overcome it.

No politicization

The E ON 3 Group Executive Chairman also spoke against the politicization of the galamsey fight saying the development is counterproductive.

He quizzed: “Can we continue to do one thing at a time and expect different results ? “
Going forward, he said it will be refreshing to see, for instance, the political parties working together to address the menace.