The government has suspended the license of a mining services contractor Maxam Limited over the explosion at Bogoso-Appiate on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
The explosion occurred after a motorcycle went under a truck carrying explosives owned by Maxam Limited.
The explosives were being transported to the Chirano gold mine, run by Toronto-based Kinross (K.TO).
A statement from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources which disclosed the suspension also indicated that the Chief Inspector of the Mines has been interdicted, as investigations into the incident continue.
“Consequently, the Hon. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has, as of 21st January 2022, directed the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission to interdict the Chief Inspector of Mines with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the tragic events which took place at Appiate.”
“Further, the Hon Minister has directed the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, with immediate effect, to suspend the registration of Maxam Company Limited with the Minerals Commission, thereby precluding the company from the manufacture, transportation, and/or supply of explosives for mining operations,” portions of the statement said.
The explosion has killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 100 others as well as levelling several buildings in the area.
Video footage from the aftermath of the blast showed a huge crater, prompting people to compare the area to a war zone.
The truck that was involved in the explosion was heading to a Chirano Gold Mines.
According to the mining company, the truck belongs to Maxam Limited.
Police say the disaster occurred when the truck carrying the explosives collided with a motorcycle and a fire ignited, leading to the detonation of the explosives.
"Meanwhile, preliminary investigation has established that a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.
"Most of the victims have been rescued and are on admission at various hospitals and clinics within the Bogoso Municipality," police said in an update on the incident.
The huge explosion razed down homes and killed many people.
An intensified search and rescue led by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana National Fire Service on Friday have retried 17 bodies from piles of rubble.
Fifty-nine people are also receiving treatment at the Apinto Government Hospital for varying degrees of burn injuries.
“I am pleading the government and institutions to come to aid of the town. This has not affected one or two families. Everyone in the whole town has been affected. Houses have been razed to the ground; people have died. People have been injured,” the survivor pleaded.