Public Relations Officer for the Dunkwa Small Scale Miners Association, Peter Ayikwei, has denied claims that association members are involved in damaging forest reserves and river bodies.

At a climate event focused on illegal mining, he contended that politically supported miners, not members of the association, are responsible for environmental harm due to unauthorized mining activities.

“No small-scale license is given in a forest reserve. No, no small-scale miner’s license is given in the forest reserves. Those in the forest reserves today, as I am talking to you, you can cross-check, are political miners. They are not small-scale miners, and they are illegal miners,” he argued.

He clarified that small-scale mining operates under strict regulations and adheres to mining laws, whereas those with political influence are often the ones exploiting the sector improperly.

“The small-scale miner has no strength to enter into a forest reserve. We don't have that strength to go into the forest reserve,” he said.

Renewed efforts to combat illegal mining have intensified recently following the destruction of numerous water bodies and forest reserves.