Ban on Small Scale Mining to be lifted Tomorrow

Government of Ghana will on tomorrow Thursday, August 16, announce a roadmap for the lifting of the ban on small-scale mining in the country.

A statement issued by Deputy Minister for Information and MP for Akuapem North, Nana Dokua Asiamah-Adjei says the committee led by Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, “after a year of comprehensive of work”, has completed its assignment.

The ban has been in existence after the government assumed office in January 2017 in a bid was to ensure the re-claiming and re-afforestation of mined-out areas, restoration of impacted water bodies.

However, the government is, therefore, set to announce the Road Map for the lifting of the ban on small-scale mining this week.

The ban on small scale mining which has been in force since January 2017, was occasioned by years of extensive devastation of forests, farmlands and river bodies by mining activities, particularly galamsey operations.

It was initially for six months, but has since seen a number of extensions while government says it is seeking appropriate strategies to regulate the sector and refine operations.

As part of the government’s effort to ensure sustainable mining and protect the environment, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining was constituted in March 2017.

It was chaired by world-renowned scientist and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Frimpong Boateng.

In the meantime, there have been calls from all around the country, particularly by the affected miners, for the ban to be lifted, while several voices, including environmentalists and the Media Coalition against Illegal Mining, have praised the government for maintaining the ban while taking steps to ensure the proper things are done.