Martin Kwaku Ayisi, CEO of Minerals Commission
The Minerals Commission has clarified that the two trucks with the inscription “Danger Explosives” that were reported to be transporting explosives without police escorts did not contain explosives, as captured in a video on the Facebook page of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and other social media platforms.
According to the Commission, the two trucks in question, with registration numbers GT 1821-14 and WR 1301-18, had already conveyed the explosives to Perseus Mining Ghana Limited in Ayanfuri on February 17, 2022 and were returning to the operational site of Solar Nitro.
A statement issued by the CEO of Minerals Commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, said on February 16, 2022, the Operations Manager of Solar Nitro Ghana Limited (Solar Nitro) notified and requested the approval of the Western Regional Manager of Mines of the Commission to transport explosives from the operation site of Solar Nitro to the mining site of Perseus Mining Ghana Limited (Perseus) in Ayanfuri on February 17, 2022.
“A Principal Inspector of Mines from the Takoradi office of the Commission was assigned by the Regional Manager to carry out all the necessary inspections pursuant to the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2021 (L.I. 2177) and also as set in the new safety measures recently issued by the Acting Chief Inspector of Mines/Explosives to all mining, explosives, quarries and other related mining companies,” part of the statement read.
Clarification
He added that on February 17, 2022, around 09:15am, the Principal Inspector of Mines was at the operational site of Solar Nitro to conduct all the necessary safety inspections and verifications.
After being satisfied that all the requisite safety protocols and all other regulatory requirements pursuant to L.I. 2177 had been met, he allowed the trucks and the escorts to leave the site of Solar Nitro.
This included but not limited to the presence of two police escorts, a competent person onboard, explosives trucks registered and fit for purpose, according to the Minerals Commission.
“The explosives were delivered to the mine site of Perseus and the trucks returned to the operational site of Solar Nitro without the police escorts and there were no explosives onboard. This was apparently captured and circulated as the trucks that were carrying explosives without escorts,” it said.
The Commission also emphasised in its statement that the Solar Nitro had been registered as a mine support service company to deal in explosives, and had been issued with all the requisite permits and approvals by the Chief Inspector of Mines/Explosives to transport explosives.
Meanwhile, the Minerals Commission has assured its availability to “provide information on all mining activities or operations in Ghana”.
The Commission has urged the public to “seek clarification or verify such information with the Commission before they are made public”.
According to the Commission, following the explosion that occurred in Apeate on January 20, 2022, 14 new safety measures have been introduced to strengthen the existing regulations and protocols for the transportation of explosives and most importantly to protect the health and safety of the public as well as the environment.
About The Author
