Former EPA Director raises alarm over unlawful mercury importation in small-scale mining
In the midst of the ongoing controversies surrounding the management of the illegal small-scale mining menace, commonly referred to as ‘Galamsey’, a former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), John Pwamang, has voiced his concerns over the unlawful importation and usage of mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Ghana.
Pwamang, who spent close to 30 years working with the EPA, highlighted the disregard for established policies, legal frameworks, and institutional guidelines governing the importation and usage of mercury in Ghana. Despite the presence of regulatory measures, it appears that many patrons involved in ASGM operations are ignoring these protocols and engaging in the indiscriminate use of this dangerous chemical.
Speaking at a webinar organized to address the issue of mercury pollution in Ghana, Pwamang revealed a startling fact: not a single individual had imported mercury through the legally prescribed procedures in the entirety of 2020. This revelation raises questions about compliance with the existing control systems for the importation and distribution of mercury for ASGM activities.
Importing mercury into Ghana for ASGM requires individuals to obtain licensing from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Additionally, they must secure a permit from the EPA through the Hazardous Chemical Committee’s Chemical Clearance Programme. Moreover, recurrent importers of mercury are expected to provide detailed records of their previous consignments to ensure proper tracking and accountability.
Pwamang emphasized that these procedures are in line with both international conventions, such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury adopted by the United Nations in 2013, and national policies, including the ECOWAS Directives on Mining and Articles 36 and 41 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The country has established various laws, including the Mercury Law 1989 (PNDC Law 217), the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Act 490), the Environmental Assessment Regulations of 1999 (LI 1652), the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act (2016), and the Factories, Offices, and Shops Act 1970 (Act 328), which specifically guide the procurement and usage of mercury.
However, despite these comprehensive regulations, Pwamang expressed his dismay over the continued importation and distribution of mercury under hazardous conditions in the country. He highlighted that the only known licensed importer recognized by the EPA has ceased operations, raising concerns about the source of the mercury currently being used in ASGM activities. Pwamang called upon regulatory bodies to take proactive measures to investigate and identify the origins of these mercury consignments in the ASGM sector, as they are not being properly recorded in the EPA clearance system.
Supporting Pwamang’s views, Associate Professor James Dankwah from the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) emphasized the adverse effects of mercury poisoning on communities residing in close proximity to ASGM mining areas such as Birim, Densu, Ankobra, and Tano. Prof. Dankwah, an expert in metallurgical and material engineering, explained that mercury is utilized in the amalgamation process, which involves dissolving gold or silver ore into mercury and subsequently recovering it through heating by artisanal miners. Unfortunately, after extracting the gold, the mercury is illegally and indiscriminately dumped on land and into water bodies, leading to mercury contamination. This contamination poses significant health risks, particularly for women and their babies, causing prenatal and postnatal health complications.
Prof. Dankwah painted a grim picture, stating that hospitals across Ghana are witnessing an increasing number of deformities in children born in communities affected by ASGM activities. He emphasized the urgent need to address the activities of the ASGM sector, which he described as a threat to the entire nation.
The webinar, organized by Pure Earth Ghana, took place on 5th June 2023, to commemorate World Environment Day. Pure Earth Ghana, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing pollution, improving public health, and creating a cleaner and healthier Ghana, especially for children, has been actively raising awareness about environmental issues and implementing effective solutions through research, advocacy, and collaboration with local stakeholders.
As the illegal importation and use of mercury in Ghana’s small-scale mining sector continue to pose serious environmental and health risks, it is imperative that regulatory authorities take decisive action to enforce existing regulations. Protecting affected communities and preserving Ghana’s natural resources should be prioritized to ensure a sustainable future for the nation.
