Galamsey pit kills 2 women at Bonsukwadaa

• Illegal mining is still rife in some areas

The act has gained noto­riety over the years due to its devastating na­ture and the environmental problems that it has brought in its trail.

Though efforts are being made to discontinue its op­eration in the country, illegal gold mining, popularly known as “galamsey” is deemed to be the preserve of males due to the ruggedness of the work.

But, it is interesting to note these days that females are gradually getting in­volved in the job that needs strength and endurance to cope with difficult condi­tions that the operations go through.

Unfortunately, luck,howev­er, eluded two females who entered into an abandoned pit to prospect for gold at Bonsukwadaa, a farming community in Atwima Mfensi, in the Ashanti Region, as they were trapped and died.

The incident took place on March 24, 2023, and the victims have been identified as Safia Moro, aged 40 and Vivian Kyei,33.

A police source told The Spectator that, the two women were busily mining for gold in the pit around 3:00PM, when it suddenly caved in on them.

According to the police source, the bodies were found in the pit which was filled to the brim with dirty water.

“The the bodies were soiled with mud and blood was also found on the face of Vivian Kyei”, the source indicated;

The source also observed that mining activities had taken place within a vast portion of the area where the bodies were found.

The bodies have since been deposited at Mount Sinai Mortuary, Tabre, for preser­vation and autopsy.

According to the police, “Coroner’s forms had been prepared for the information of the District Coroner”.

Meanwhile, investigations were underway, the police source said.

Mr. Isaac Owusu, the Com­mittee Chairman of Atwima Mfensi, said upon learning of the unfortunate incident, he informed the police.

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi