Small-Scale Miners Mad At EPA

Small-scale miners in the country have expressed dissatisfaction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for what they described as the massive increment in the small-scale mining environmental permit from GH¢750 to $2,400.

The amount, which comprises $300 for processing and $2,100 for permit, currently converted to GH¢9,600, translates to more than 1,000 percent increment over the previous fee.

According to Solomon Amarh, General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM), the Minerals Commission, which is the main agency that issues mining leases and digging permits, has maintained its processing and consideration fees at GH¢250 and GH¢550 respectively because of its strategy to attract small-scale miners operating without the requisite permits into the mainstream.

With the passage of fees and charges (Amendment) Instrument, 2014 (L.I. 2216) by Parliament, the EPA increased its fees and charges for EPA.

'Another observation is the increasing 'dollarization' of the fees and charges contrary to the laws and directives by the Bank of Ghana.

'We believe Bank of Ghana (BoG) has not changed its directives on pricing local services in foreign currency, more so as small-scale mining is a reserve for Ghanaians.

'Even though these fees and charges were certified by Parliament, GNASSM observed with scorn the arbitrary increase in the fees for small-scale mining environmental permit. This could be a disincentive for people to acquire the necessary permits and licences to carry out the mining operation, which are already highly informal and difficult to regulate.'

He mentioned that small-scale miners would not have opposed the upward review of the fees and charges by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) if they were realistic.

'In fact, we are disappointed, despite formal petition to the appropriate quarters, and calls by organized value-chain operators and civil society organizations for a consultative dialogue with operators on the subject matter, details have emerged that regulatory authorities are failing to respond to the plight of the marginalized miners.'

The association therefore called on government to intervene to streamline the fees and charges by suspending the imposed fees and charges and inform Parliament and the public; stop the dollarization of the fees and charges and encourage stakeholders' engagement before, during and after the passage of the amendment Instrument to serve as a check on the institution and the operation of the fees and charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009 Act 793 to avert rapid increases and the blanket approval for high increases.

By Samuel Boadi