A Senior Research Scientist at the Soil Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Albert Kwabena Mensah, has said that illegal mining impacts not only the environment but also crop yields, as it affects soil fertility and productivity.

He explained that illegal mining also contaminates the food chain.

The Ghana Water Resources Commission has called for an immediate halt to illegal mining activities nationwide. The Commission is concerned that a few irresponsible individuals are endangering the safety and well-being of the entire Ghanaian population.

• Read also: We must stop this irresponsible mining urgently – Water Resources Commission

Speaking on JoyFM's Midday News, Dr Mensah said, “Mercury is one of the major elements used in the extraction of gold in the small-scale mining sector. They handle the mercury haphazardly, and it often washes down into the soil. Research has shown that when the soil is contaminated with heavy metals, these contaminants accumulate in the food chain.”

He added that mercury accumulates in fish, causing biomagnification.

Dr Mensah said that when people eat these contaminated fish, they are exposed to the harmful effects of the mercury.