Acting in accordance with an order from the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Minerals Commission The Western Regional Inspector of Mines
has shutdown operations of Maxam Company Limited on Saturday 22nd January, 2022
this comes after a directive was issued by the Minister for Lands and Natural
Resources, Honorable Samuel A. Jinapor.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources through the
Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission investigated the circumstances
that led to the accident involving the transportation of explosives at Apiate a
community near Bogoso in the Western Region on Thursday, 20th January, 2022.
During the closure of the company the Western Regional Manager
of the Minerals Commission Mr. Isaac K Mwimbelle disclosed that it has become
necessary for his outfit to take drastic measure to forestall future
happenings.
He added that the shutdown of the company is to pave way for
further investigations and mentioned that a final report will be forwarded to
the Head Office of the Commission in the capital Accra for onward submission to
the sector Minister.
He added that the Minerals Commission has issued a prohibition
notice to the company, barring them from undertaking any form of activity at
the site.
“Based on the initial investigations that we are conducting,
we find it prudent to evoke the law which states that if the inspector has any
reason to believe some operation can result in further danger, then we should cause
a cessation of same.
“We went to Maxam and asked them to stop work whiles we
continue the investigations and make necessary recommendations to the CEO for
onward submission to the Hon. Minister.
“We issued what we called prohibition notice which means they
are not allowed to hold any activity on the site and they are to remove
equipment from the site for their own safety”.
Also to ensure that the directive is enforced, the Western
Regional Manager of the Minerals Commission stated that the Commission has
deployed two members of staff to stay at the site.
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