The Ghana Geospatial Society (GGS) has strongly condemned the ongoing illegal mining, also known as galamsey, crisis that continues to devastate the nation.
Accordingly, the GGS called for a one-year ban on all small-scale and community mining operations, allowing for urgent remediation efforts while robust regulatory and monitoring frameworks are established.
The Society highlighted the severe environmental destruction, heightened health risks, and significant socio-economic consequences resulting from these illegal activities.
GGS emphasized that the situation has reached a critical point, requiring immediate and coordinated action to address the crisis effectively.
“As a professional body dedicated to the advancement of geospatial science and technology, we stand at the forefront of the fight against these destructive practices and are fully committed to leveraging our expertise to support sustainable and effective solutions”.
“It is imperative to clearly differentiate between small-scale mining regulated and sanctioned by law and galamsey, which represents illegal mining. Under the Mineral and Mining Act, small-scale mining is defined by the size of the concession area: individual licenses cover up to 25 acres, and group licenses up to 50 acres”.
The Ghana Geospatial Society (GGS)
GGS also noted that, due to the significant environmental damage often associated with these activities, it is necessary to re-evaluate the current definitions.
The Society indicated that while small-scale miners operate under regulatory oversight, galamsey refers to those who do not comply with regulations, especially regarding environmental protections.
GGS noted that small-scale miners argue they shouldn’t be labeled as galamsey operators, as the illegal miners who take over their sites are usually the ones causing more environmental damage.
According to the Society, the Minerals Commission defines illegal mining, or galamsey, as mining without legal permits, stating that originally artisanal, galamsey now uses advanced machinery, increasing its destructive impact.
GGS indicated that key illegal activities include mining in water bodies, on non-designated lands, and encroaching on both large-scale and small-scale mining concessions.
These actions, according to GGS, severely violate regulations and cause significant environmental and socio-economic harm.
GGS Highlights Legal Regulation Standards In Small-Scale Mining
Furthermore, the Ghana Geospatial Society argued that small-scale mining is legally regulated and ensures environmental and safety standards.
The Community Mining Scheme (CMS), GGS noted, allows local communities to engage in legal small-scale mining, focusing on environmental protection and community benefits.
According to GGS, the CMS integrates legal small-scale mining practices with the Tributer System, adhering to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2012 (L.I 2182).
“Some monitoring works carried out by our members point to the fact that most of the environmentally devastating results of mining are found in areas where the operations of the small-scale mining and Community Mining Schemes (CMS) are taking place”.
“The Minerals Commission employs various tools to monitor mining activities, including the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Centre, drone piloting training, and on-site inspections. Geographic Information System (GIS), and collaboration with security forces”.
The Ghana Geospatial Society (GGS)
The Society noted that despite these efforts, significant weaknesses remain, such as poor real-time monitoring, limited technology use, insufficient community engagement, and widespread corruption.
As such, GGS recommended enhancing geospatial technology for real-time monitoring, using drones and satellite imagery for surveillance, and establishing a centralized data system.
The Society also suggested increasing community involvement, investing in staff training, restricting mining to designated areas, and strengthening governance to combat corruption.
Accordingly, GGS emphasized its commitment to combating illegal mining by offering expertise in GIS, remote sensing, and data analysis.
The Society also proposed providing technical support, conducting training for regulators and community members, and partnering on research initiatives to improve monitoring and enforcement.
GGS urged all stakeholders to unite against galamsey and illegal mining, using every available tool and resource to eradicate these harmful practices and protect the nation’s future.
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