The Minister of Lands and Natural resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has intimated that government is reviewing the strategy on fighting small-scale mining in the country.
According to him, government is set to have a national consultative discussion to come out with a roadmap on tackling issues of illegal mining.
“We’ve had a strategy in place in the first term of President Akufo-Addo. We are reviewing it. We are going to have a national consultative discussion and out of which, we will have a blueprint.”
Samuel Jinapor
Speaking to the media during his working visit to the Ashanti region, he noted that government will not countenance any form of illegal mining. He added that his outfit is working to eliminate or reduce incidences of illegal mining in the country.
“The way forward is that; we are insisting that mining should be done in a regulated faction, so there is no space for illegal mining. Also, I have told the Minerals Commission and we are all agreeable to that. As much as possible, we have to either eliminate or reduce the incidences of illegal small-scale mining. We can do small-scale mining in a regulated licenced environment. We will not countenance any form of illegal small-scale mining.”
Samuel Jinapor
The minister notes while waiting for the development of a new blueprint , government is seeking to promote community mining in various mining areas as a viable alternative to illegal small-scale mining.
“…for the time being, the attitude and the strategy is to promote community mining; frown upon illegal small-scale mining and flush those out. The point I am making is that, we need broad-based support.”
Samuel Jinapor
Otumfuor On Galamsey Fight
The Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu has called on government to intensify efforts at regulating the activities of illegal small-scale miners to save the country’s water bodies.
Furthermore, he said regulating the activities of illegal miners is the surest way of saving the rivers and lakes. The Asantehene gave the admonition when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, called on him.
The Asantehene, then indicates that “the fight against illegal mining is not a one day fight and therefore, encourage all to make the conscious effort to end the practice.”
Otumfuo Osei Tutu also raised concerns on the way and manner land administration is handled in the country. Also, he said to avoid the chaotic nature of land administration; the right policies and directions must be given with all the agencies under the ministry coming on board.
Anglogold and miners impasse intervened
The Minister also stepped in to resolve the impasse between Small scale miners and AngloGold Ashanti over mine concession. This comes on the back of a growing agitation for AngloGold Ashanti to relinquish part of its concession to small scale miners at Obuasi.
As part of the Minister’s tour, he visited the Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine; and later met small scale miners within Obuasi. In separate meetings, he assured the two parties of the ministry’s efforts in resolving disagreements between them with respect to concessions.
