The Minerals Commission has interdicted the Chief Inspector of Mines, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations into last Thursday’s explosion at Apiate, near Bogoso in the Western Region of Ghana.
Pursuant to regulation 2 of the minerals and mining (explosives) Regulations 2012 (L I 2177), the Chief Inspector of Mines is the Chief Inspector of Explosives, and also responsible for the supervision, manufacture, storage and transport of Explosives for mining and mining support services.
In a statement issued last Friday, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, also directed the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, to suspend the registration of Maxam Company Limited with the Minerals Commission.
That, the statement said, precluded the Company from the manufacture, transportation/or supply of explosives for mining operations—pending the outcome of the matter.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources assured that the ongoing investigations would be “thorough and comprehensive” and any one found culpable, will face the full rigors of the law.
President Akufo-Addo last Thursday expressed condolence to families of the deceased and victims of the explosion and assured a rapid return of normalcy for Apiate residents.
The Lands and Natural Resource Minister on Friday, also joined the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to commiserate with deceased families and victims of the explosion at Apiate.
The Police said preliminary investigations into explosion had established that “a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.”
Many people were feared dead after the “huge” explosion. Videos circulated on social media showed dead bodies, many destroyed buildings and scattered debris near the mining town.
Though the Police had not confirmed the number of casualties, it said most of the victims were rescued and were on admission at various hospitals and clinics within the Bogoso Municipality.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
