Small-scale miners warn against further extension of mining ban – Reports Ghanaweb

Illegal Small Scale Mining cost lives – death in the pits – least we forget

The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners are critical stakeholders in the mining sector and they have a role to play. Some of them have suffered since the moratorium on small scale mining  was put in place because they were mining according to law. But they need to bear in mind that they also played a role in bringing Ghana to brink we found ourselves as a country. Some of their members were engaged in the illegality and as a association too, like all classes of leadership they failed to prevent this rot from happening. So they do not have any right to be using belligerent language at this time.  Yes it is important that we set up the systems to allow sustainable small scale and artisanal mining to start. But it should only start when we are able to police the entire process. The government should ensure that they set up the systems to be able to ensure that the rights things are done. But we do not have all the time so some speed is required, but it should be controlled speed. 

It is good that we are seeing the plans that government laid out coming into fruition. the Secretariat of the Inter-Ministerial Committee has been setup, the District Mining Committees to police illegal mining are being inaugurated. This should kick start the audit of small scale concessions so that those who pass can start mining and also serve as self policing team. So we all need to have patience but work steadily to get small scale mining to start. 

Now read what Ghanaweb had to say about the concern of Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners and a video of what the President had to say at the meet the press event on this topic.

The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners has warned that a further extension of the ban on all forms of small-scale mining in the country will be harmful to the sector. It is, therefore, urging the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to lift the ban on small-scale mining and rather ensure strict enforcement of the country’s mining laws. There is currently a ban on small-scale mining in the country following the widespread devastation of the water resources and forest reserves due to the activities of illegal miners.

A six-month ban, which was imposed by the ministry earlier in 2017, elapsed in October 2017, but was extended to January 2018.

President Akufo Addo indicated at a media encounter on Wednesday that a decision on the way forward would be taken after a meeting with a team of experts next week.

He, however, added that, a lot more needs to be done in the crusade against illegal mining. But the miners believe the President’s stance is an indication that the ban might be extended for the second time.

The General Secretary of the Small Scale Miners Association, Godwin Armah in a Citi News interview said the ban must be lifted to avert the likely challenges the sector will face.

‘We’re targetted in galamsey fight’

The small-scale miners have held the view that the government’s anti-galamsey fight is targetted at them, although large-scale miners must also be subjected to strict government supervision.

‘Small-scale miners stage protest’

In September 2017, some small-scale miners in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, staged a demonstration over the government’s decision to extend the mining ban.

Despite some police arrests and firing of tear gas at the protestors, the organizers described the demonstration us successful.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com & Citifmonline

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