Prime News Ghana

Inspector of mines warns against building close to quarries

By PrimeNewsGhana
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GNA-Communities in and around the Anto-Aboso electoral area in the Shama district of the western region have been cautioned not to site their residence and other structures close to quarry sites.

The area, which has six quarry companies operating could be affected by noise, dust, ground vibration, air overpressure, fly-rocks and other pollutants if they sited  their houses close to the  quarry sites.
 
Desmond Boahen, Inspector of Mines, Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission in Takoradi, gave the advice at Aboso during a day’s workshop organised by the Commission.
 
Mr Boahen said although quarries had a number of benefits including; employment and wealth creation, providing raw materials for the building of roads, bridges, silos, flyovers, embankment and drains, it was also saddled with noise, dust pollution, ground vibration, air overpressure, flying rocks and other pollutants.
 
He in this regard tasked the quarry companies operating in the Anto-Aboso electoral areas to endeavour to implement all safety measures that would help reduce the impact of quarry operations in the communities.
 
Mr Boahen also asked that they adopt policies and programmes that would bring back “post quarry life” such as the creation of water ponds after mining which could be used for recreation, aquaculture, irrigation and domestic consumption.
 
He called for effective institutional collaboration and coordination to help reduce the numerous challenges confronting the granite quarry industry. Mr Boahen also charged quarry companies to employ prudent practices in their operations to avoid excessive impact on communities they operate.
 
Mr Daniel Obosu of the Industrial Minerals Operators, pointed out that the various  quarries could put  in place practical measures to help reduce impacts from quarries.
 
He said for instance dust generated from drilling and blasting could be minimised by the usage of dust extraction equipment such as filters or overhead tanks should be installed to suppress the dust that generate from the crushers and discharging points.
 

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