The Minerals Commission has reiterated that Sta Addsams Enterprise, the company whose quarry site suffered the weekend’s deadly explosion, had no lease, approval or permit to operate.
The Commission said the attention of the administrator of the firm, formerly known as OMNI Quarry, was drawn to the illegal activities ongoing at the site but the company simply ignored it.
“A routine monitoring visit by the inspectors from the Takoradi Office to the site revealed that the enterprise was engaged in site cleaning and preparatory works and had conducted run of the machines and equipment on site without the approval of the Commission,” it said in a statement on Monday, September 11.
“The enterprise was therefore notified by the inspectors that such activities are illegal and was directed to cease any activity on the site until the lease is granted and all other permits and approvals for the storage, transportation and use of any substance to undertake operations are obtained.”
But it continued in the statement, “The activity of the enterprise was illegal”.
The explosion late Saturday night at the site at Kobenandohkrom near Anto Aboso in the Shama District of the Western Region left about five persons dead and several injured.
Properties including the chief’s palace were destroyed.
Already, investigations have been launched to ascertain the cause of the explosion.
“The Commission wishes to remind the media and the public that the Inspectorate Division is committed to ensuring that all quarry sites are licensed and all the requisite approvals and permits are obtained before operations are undertaken.”