The Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and DanMark Prime Company Limited have commenced a large-scale land reclamation exercise at abandoned illegal mining (galamsey) sites at Nweneso III, Nwensa, and Nkwanta in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region.
The project aims to restore degraded lands and prevent further environmental damage caused by years of illegal mining activities.
Speaking to the media, the Operations Manager of DanMark Prime Company Limited, Robbert Dambo, underscored the importance of reclaiming lands destroyed by galamsey operators.
“DanMark has taken it upon itself to reclaim lands destroyed by illegal miners. We will collaborate with the Assembly to plant trees to help the land regain its vegetation,” he said.
He noted that the company has assumed responsibility for rehabilitating the affected areas and will work closely with the Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly to restore vegetation and improve ecological balance.
The Environmental Officer of the Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly, Ernest Boakye, expressed optimism about the future use of the reclaimed land. According to him, illegal mining had turned the area into a dangerous zone, making residents afraid to access the site.
He commended DanMark Prime for covering the abandoned pits, adding that although the work is still ongoing, significant progress has been made.
“Galamsey activities turned this land into a death trap. People were scared to come here. DanMark has helped us cover the pits. Even though the work is not fully completed, we are impressed with their efforts,” he said.
Boakye further assured that the Assembly will complement the reclamation efforts by planting trees and ensuring proper land management to prevent future degradation. He added that parts of the reclaimed land could potentially be used for public purposes, including waste management, as development plans progress.
“We are not just covering the pits. The Assembly will plant trees to protect the land. The Assembly also has a landfill site, and we can use portions of the land for that purpose. As time goes on, we will further develop it,” he stated.
The exercise forms part of broader national efforts to curb illegal mining and rehabilitate degraded lands across mining communities.
Source: KAB
