Plans to impose a blanket ban on small-scale mining in the country must be looked at carefully, in order to ensure licensed miners are not forced out of business as the government cracks down on illegal samll-scale mining (galamsey), Manhyia North MP Collins Owusu Amankwah has warned.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister John Peter Amewu on Tuesday, 28 March warned galamseyers to cease their activities within three weeks or face the full rigours of the law.
Illegal small-scale mining has been linked to pollution of the country’s water bodies and other environmentally destructive activities, raising national concern.
But Mr Amankwah has cautioned that persons and companies involved in mining should not be tarred with the same brush as there are those who have obtained licences, operate legally and observe environmental regulations with regards to mining.
Speaking on Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Thursday, 30 March, he said: “Much as we are poised to flush them (galamseyers) out, we ought to tread cautiously because as you drive out a troublesome fowl, a good one also follows.”
He said there are some licensed miners who, after prospecting a concession, cover the pits and undertake land reclamation activities expected of them so the lands can be used for other purposes including agriculture subsequently.
The lawmaker explained that by the Mining Act of 2006, Act 703, licences issued to entities are of two types: prospecting or reconnaissance.
However, he said there was the need to rather fish out persons who use reconnaissance licences to prospect for minerals as well as those who mine without licences. That differentiation, he said, would need to be made to ensure that small-scale or artisanal miners and companies which have legally obtained licences to operate lawfully are not bulked up with those undertaking illegal mining.
“So, if you say you are tarring all of them with the same brush and ban their business, then per natural justice it would be unfair,” he told show host Chief Jerry Forson.
“So, my position is that I do not support any illegal activity in this country. Also, I am an environmentalist and I believe it is our collective responsibility to fight any activity that will cause environmental degradation. Notwithstanding that someone is operating lawfully and another is not and you say we should put them together and ban their activities, I am concerned about that.
“My advice is that going forward we need to reengage them.”
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
