One million people are involved in artisanal mining in Ghana

Accra, Nov. 30, GNA – Mr Mike Allen Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources on Friday noted that more than one million people are directly involved in artisanal and small scale mining across the country.

“This therefore calls for the need to streamline the activities of those involved in it to ensure compliance to rules and regulations governing small scale mining in the country.”

Mr Hammah who was speaking during a day's validation workshop for small scale miners and stakeholders in Accra said government would develop the small scale mining industry to become efficient.

“Government is also committed to work to ensure that small scale mining becomes as truly indigenous and self reliance with most of its needs being serviced by local companies.

“It is in line with this, that government, with support from developing partners, is implementing the Natural resources and Environmental Governance Programme with one major aim of militating against the negative practices and impact of mining.”

The workshop, which was organised by the Minerals Commission brought together chiefs from across the country, owners of small scale mining concession, civil society groups and illegal miners popularly called Galamsey operators.

The workshop was used to validate key issues identified during nationwide stakeholders' consultations on artisanal small scale mining and to draw up conclusions and recommendations to serve as input for the development of small scale mining framework in the country.

He noted that gold production from the activities of small scale gold miners from both legal and illegal sources was approximately 800,000 ounces, which represented 23 per cent of the total gold production in the country.

Mr Hammah cited encroachment on concessions of large scale miners, unorthodox mining practices as some of the challenges facing small scale mining.

Mr Fred Ohene-Kena, Chairman of the Minerals Commission, noted that although illegal mining contributed to the growth of the nation's economy, those involved in it should Endeavour to register their businesses to avoid facing the rigors of the law.

“For 2010, all the diamond produced in the country were from illegal and legal small scale miners”, he noted.

He pledged the Minerals Commission efforts in working to ensure that government's decision to introduce sanity into small scale mining is carried out effectively.

Mr Ben Aryee, Executive Director, Minerals Commission appealed to chiefs and land owners to desist from giving out lands to foreigners for illegal mining.

He appealed to the assemblies to report illegal miners and the harmful effects of mining in their communities for redress.

“Foreigners are not by law allowed to get themselves involved in small scale mining anywhere in the country,” he said.

GNA