Illegal miners are reportedly excavating beneath recently installed gas pipelines in the Ashanti region in a quest for gold, according to Nana Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, the chairman of Genser Energy‘s board.
Nana Nyampong VI stressed the immediate need for intervention, calling on local chiefs to educate their communities about the hazards associated with such activities.
He cautioned that these unauthorised operations not only endanger the miners’ lives but also jeopardize the integrity of the entire gas pipeline infrastructure. He also revealed the risk of explosions due to the presence of flammable gas, urging residents to prioritize safety over potential gains from illegal mining activities.
“Those on the right of way have begun prospecting for minerals along our gas pipelines, simply put galamseyers have begun digging under our pipeline to see if they can strike its reach overnight, it is a very dangerous enterprise because when you are digging, you are using some force and a little sparkle of fire may touch the gas and you will lose your life with the explosion that will happen.
“We will appeal to the Chiefs who own these lands on the right of way to educate their citizenry that there is no gainsaying that you are going to look for gold and you may not come back home. You shouldn’t exchange your life for wealth which you may not even get”.
Meanwhile, Genser Energy, a Ghanaian-owned independent power producer, has extended heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the successful construction of a 110-kilometre natural gas pipeline.
This critical infrastructure will power the 250-megawatt Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant (K1TPP) and future plants (500MW AKSA, 330MW CENIT), marking a significant advancement in the country’s power sector.
The gas transmission infrastructure, spanning from Prestea to Anwomaso, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Genser Energy Ghana Limited.
Constructed with 12,000 steel pipes imported from the US, the Anwomaso Gas Pipeline, spearheaded by Genser Energy, aims to supply the plant with natural gas sourced from the Western Region.
Divided into three phases, the 420km network stretches across key regions, promising to enhance Ghana’s power sector and provide affordable energy to support regional industries.
Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Ashanti Region
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