Ban on small Scale Mining to Be Lifted

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resource, John Peter Amewu has hinted the ban on small scale mining could soon be lifted.

According to him President Nana Akufo-Addo would soon make an announcement to that effect.

He told the chiefs and people of Dunkwaw in the Central Region that, a road map which will provide alternative livelihood to the miners and also ensure sustainable mining is being implemented.

Government placed a ban on small scale mining in June 2017, following widespread destruction of water bodies, lands due to the application of harmful chemicals such as mercury and cyanide in small scale mining.

“This government is saying that you must do the mining in a more sustainable manner. It is not going to be too long His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would be lifting the ban on mining.

“But before that is done, he expects certain things to be put in order; which is the road map leading to the lifting of the ban,” he told the chiefs.

According to him, widespread concerns of use of harmful chemicals such as mercury and others which are dangerous to health of humans among others, informed government’s decision to ban small scale mining.

“Health concerns or health issues are becoming very critical for this country. Applications of mercury is very dangerous to our own health. Toxic metals in our products; in our cocoa farms in areas that we undertake farming activities is becoming a problem to this country,” he lamented.

Mr. Amewu is touring some departments and agencies under his ministry in the Ashanti and Central regions.

He also inspected the Richie Plantations in Dunkwaw where two million oil palm seedlings would be supplied to miners free of charge as part of the alternative livelihood program.

Beneficiaries would be supplied with seedlings and transportation free of charge.

He wants small scale miners to take advantage of the project to improve their lot.

“Very soon, we would be distributing the seedlings to communities, youth and young ones that are interested in undertaking this farming project.

“It is on that note that we are paying a courtesy call on you, also to encourage you to talk to the young ones in the community that the seedlings would be distributed free of charge,” he appealed.