The Attorney General (AG) has directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, to Parliament for revocation.
This directive follows demands from organised labour, which urged the government to repeal the law as part of efforts to mitigate the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
In response, the government affirmed its commitment to addressing concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the detrimental impact of mining activities in ecologically sensitive areas like forest reserves.
Consequently, the government specifically agreed to repeal L.I. 2462, which regulates mining operations in these critical zones.
The move to revoke the Legislative Instrument represents a key step in the government’s broader initiative to combat the environmental degradation associated with galamsey.
Mining in forest reserves has caused severe destruction to ecosystems, polluted water bodies, and inflicted long-term harm on natural resources.
The AG’s directive to the EPA, communicated on Thursday, October 10, reinforces the government’s commitment to prioritize environmental protection amidst growing public pressure.
The revocation of the L.I. is viewed as a response to both the concerns raised by labour groups and the broader public outcry against galamsey activities.
Once the EPA submits the Instrument to Parliament, the legislative body will have the final say in repealing the law, effectively banning all mining activities in forest reserves and aligning with the government’s broader goals for environmental conservation.