Ayanfuri-Diaso Highway on brink of closure due to illegal mining - Perseus Mining General Manager warns

The General Manager of Perseus Mining Ghana’s Edikan Mine, Alexander Kofi Oduro, has warned that illegal mining activities along the Ayanfuri-Diaso highway could eventually cut off the route, disrupting transportation and affecting communities that depend on it.

He said increasing encroachment by illegal miners posed a serious threat to the road and required urgent intervention to prevent access between Ayanfuri and Diaso from being completely severed.

Mr Oduro raised the concern on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, when the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, paid a working visit to the mining company.

Perseus Mining’s Edikan Mine operates in the Western and Central Regions, contributing to employment and economic activity in its operational areas.

According to Mr Oduro, illegal mining has caused extensive environmental destruction around the company’s operational areas, resulting in significant vegetation loss and pollution of nearby water bodies.

He cautioned that continued encroachment along the Ayanfuri-Diaso highway could eventually render the road impassable.

“If this section is cut off, the route from Ayanfuri to Diaso will be completely blocked,” he warned.

Mr Oduro said a comparison of environmental conditions between 2022 and 2026 revealed substantial vegetation loss between the highway and the mine’s heap-leach area, which he attributed to illegal mining activities.

He cited aerial photographs of the Abenabena area taken in 2018 and 2025 to illustrate the extent of the destruction.

While the 2018 images showed a green landscape, photographs taken in 2025 revealed extensive vegetation clearance and severe environmental degradation.

He said the contrast highlighted the scale of the damage and the urgent need for measures to protect the remaining vegetation and surrounding communities.

The General Manager also expressed concern about pollution of the Asuafu canal or stream, which he said had deteriorated significantly because of illegal mining.

He noted that photographs taken in 2018 showed the water body in a relatively clean state, contrasting sharply with its current condition.

Mr Oduro warned that continued pollution and environmental degradation threatened natural resources and could undermine efforts to maintain safe and sustainable mining operations.

He identified illegal mining as the company’s biggest challenge, adding that limited employment opportunities in surrounding communities had compounded the problem.

According to him, some residents were turning to illegal mining as an alternative source of livelihood because of the lack of sufficient employment opportunities.

He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, traditional authorities, local communities and other stakeholders to address the problem.

Mr Oduro reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working with stakeholders to promote responsible mining, protect the environment and ensure peaceful coexistence with host communities.

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, acknowledged the concerns raised by Perseus Mining over encroachment on its concession.

He described the engagement as an important step towards finding a lasting solution, noting that bringing the matter to the attention of regional leadership would enable the relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges and identify appropriate interventions.

Mr Nelson expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and cooperation would help address the encroachment concerns while protecting the company’s operations and the interests of surrounding communities.

The concerns raised during the visit underscore the need for coordinated action to tackle illegal mining, safeguard critical road infrastructure, restore degraded landscapes and protect water bodies in the affected areas.