Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, on Friday, September 16, 2022, presided over a meeting of the Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Illegal Mining, to review various strategies and measures to combat illegal small-scale mining.
At the meeting, it became clear that much progress had been made in the fight against the illegal mining operation, despite the stubbornness of some of the individuals involved.
The Committee praised those who came forward with information on illegal mining to help combat the threat, but claimed that the same people later posted old videos of the activities online to stoke public discontent.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Lands Ministry, after an extensive review of the operations, the stakeholders agreed that the river bodies and forest reserves should continue to be red zones.
It was stated that no mining operations should be allowed near or within any river body in the nation and that exploration, prospecting, and/or reconnaissance should still be prohibited within forest reserves, save in exceptional cases.
Operation Halt II would ramp up its support for the various measures being implemented to clamp down on illegal mining.
The statement also said enforcement efforts would be pursued relentlessly without regard to any political, social, or economic standing of the people involved.
“This will be done transparently and with the highest standards of integrity, candour, and utmost good faith.”
It also said any equipment used in connection with illegal mining, otherwise known as ‘galamsey,’ or any product derived from illegal mining operations, would be seized and handed over to the police, in accordance with section 99 (8) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
The statement said, that for any reason that particular equipment could not be moved from its location, it would be demobilized and/or decommissioned to prevent it from being used for illegal operations.
“The Ghana Police Service will work closely with Operation Halt II to gather relevant information to aid in the prosecution of people involved in illegal mining.”
It said the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission would intensify education on the dire consequences of illegal mining on the lives and livelihoods of current and future generations, as well as the environment.
It noted that the Committee would meet regularly to review the measures being implemented
and adopt additional ones where necessary.
Therefore, the Ministry appealed to the public, in particular the media, chiefs, and residents of the host villages, to support the government and security forces in their efforts to combat the threat and preserve the environment for future generations.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, September 15, 2022 a total of 164 suspected illegal foreign miners were arrested by a military anti- galamsey task force, Operation Halt II, at Anyinam and Mampong in the Eastern Region.
Source:The Independent Ghana