Appiatse explosion: Chief inspector of mines at minerals commission interdicted

The government has suspended the licence of a mining services contractor Maxam Limited following Thursday’s huge explosion at Bogoso-Appiatse, an official communication announced.

In a statement issued on Friday (21 January), the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources also announced that the chief inspector of mines has been interdicted, as investigations into the incident continue.

At least 13 persons have so far been confirmed dead in the explosion, leaving hundreds of locals displaced, the police said. The explosion occurred after a motorcycle went under a truck carrying explosives owned by Maxam Limited.

The explosives were being transported to the Chirano Gold Mine, run by Toronto-based Kinross (K.TO).

Below is the ministry’s full statement:

Government support

The government is set to establish GHC200, 000 fund to support families and victims of the deadly explosion at Bogoso-Appiatse in the Western Region.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice-President of Ghana who led the National Emergency Response Team to Bogoso said the fund including food and other material items are initial provisions to help bring relief to the victims.

“Today, I want to give thanks to the Catholic Church and the Father here whom we have seen providing accommodation to the people who have been displaced. We’ll do everything that we are able to do to provide the need for all the displaced and to make sure all the sick is taken care of.

“…And we are presenting these things to the people through the municipal chief executive to make sure they’re distributed including a sum of GHC200,000 to take care of their initial need,” he stated.

Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
99.5 in Accra, 90.7 in Ho, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 89.5 in Tarkwa, and 106.9 in Walewale
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand