On June 3rd, the Administrator of the Mineral Development Fund (MDF), Dr. Hanna Bisiw-Kotei, paid a working visit to mining sites in Nkomteng, a community in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region, to assess the environmental impact of ongoing mining activities.

Dr. Kotei was accompanied by the local Assemblyman, a site foreman, and security personnel.

During the visit, authorities apprehended two Indian nationals and ten other individuals believed to be engaged in illegal mining. Several other miners reportedly fled the site upon seeing the team.

Speaking after the operation, Dr. Kotei expressed deep concern over the level of environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

She assured the public that the MDF will collaborate with Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to hold perpetrators accountable and strengthen enforcement efforts.

Dr. Kotei also underscored the importance of sustained public education to raise awareness of the severe health and environmental dangers posed by illegal mining.

She cited life-threatening conditions such as kidney and liver failure as common consequences of prolonged exposure to toxic substances from mining activities, adding that two lives have already been lost due to incidents in the mining pits.

According to her, the visit forms part of ongoing efforts by the MDF to monitor mining activities and ensure sustainable and responsible resource exploitation across the country.