Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, Collins Adomako-Mensah, has warned that illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey along the Black Volta River are threatening not only water bodies but also the country’s electricity generation and transmission.
His concerns follow reports that the Bole District Security Council (DISEC) in the Savannah Region has mounted a manhunt for about 15 illegal miners who were found operating deep in the middle of the Black Volta River at Babator in the Bole District.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, October 2, Mr. Adomako-Mensah explained that the impact of galamsey on the Black Volta is particularly worrying because of its connection to the Bui Dam.
“Don’t forget that where Bole is located is close to Banda and Bui. So I was not surprised when the DCE indicated that some galamsey activities are going on. They told us at Bui that they are facing this challenge.
“As we speak now, galamsey is not only affecting water bodies, it is having a very heavy toll on electricity transmission. If we are not careful, we may get to a point where we may be experiencing dumsor, not because of financial reasons but mainly because of galamsey,” he said.
He explained that Bui Dam relies on water from the Black Volta, and changes in the river’s turbidity and flow due to illegal mining are affecting electricity production.
“Bui takes its water source from the Black Volta. It is the speed of the water that helps the turbines to turn in order to produce electricity. Now we are having a situation where even the colour of the water is changing. The turbidity of the water also affects the turbines. They have to treat the water, which is very expensive for them,” he added.
Mr. Adomako-Mensah also highlighted the broader implications, including the potential impact on Bui Power’s floating solar project, the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you have a situation where galamsey is polluting the water, solar energy could also be affected since the panels float on the water. This is a big challenge,” he stressed.
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