The government’s intensified fight against illegal mining (galamsey) is set to reach new heights as the Minerals Commission moves to expedite the certification of the Community Mining Scheme, a key initiative aimed at sustainable mineral exploitation.
This was disclosed by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, during a media briefing on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, as part of the government’s renewed efforts to eradicate galamsey.
At the meeting, Mr Jinapor outlined the government’s commitment to tackling the menace, reassuring the media that efforts are being ramped up.
He explained that the government’s strategy involves two critical pillars: the enforcement of mining regulations and the reformation of the sector to promote sustainable practices.
“The fight against galamsey is typified by two result-making models: reformation of the sector and enforcement of the rules,” the Minister stated.
The enforcement pillar includes the deployment of the Operation Halt taskforce, the decommissioning of illegal mining equipment such as excavators, and the imprisonment of individuals convicted of illegal mining activities. Jinapor emphasized that these measures are essential for curbing the rampant destruction caused by illegal mining.
The reformation aspect, which seeks to offer socio-economic empowerment to former illegal miners, is anchored on the government’s Community Mining Scheme. According to the Minister, this initiative, coupled with improvements in the licensing regime and the introduction of mercury-free machines, is designed to transform the sector and provide more sustainable avenues for mining.
“The Community Mining Scheme, improvement of the licensing regime, and issuance of mercury-free machines are some of the measures taken by the government,” Jinapor added, underlining the importance of transitioning miners from illegal operations to more regulated, environmentally friendly mining practices.
In his remarks, the Minister also emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noting that the Ministry has engaged with regional ministers and will hold talks with national security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces, to ensure the strict enforcement of mining laws.
The Minister expressed confidence that these combined efforts would lead to lasting success in the fight against galamsey. He added that the Minerals Commission has been tasked to accelerate the certification process for the Community Mining Scheme, which has received the endorsement of the World Bank as a more sustainable model for mineral exploitation.
“Inter-agency collaborations will be a key component in ensuring the success of this renewed fight,” Jinapor stated.