Government to announce roadmap for lifting of ban on small scale mining

Government is expected to announce tomorrow (August 16), a roadmap for the lifting of the ban on small-scale mining in Ghana.
 
The ban has been in existence after government assumed office in January 2017 in a bid to ensure the re-claiming and re-afforestation of mined-out areas and the restoration of impacted water bodies.

Deputy Information Minister, Nana Ama Dokuaa Asiamah Adjei, says the announcement is the beginning of a series of activities aimed at preparing stakeholders for a better regulated small-scale mining regime.
 
She therefore, asked stakeholders in the sector and the public to adhere to the procedures, rules and regulations which will be outlined in the road map for the advancement of Ghana.
 
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 last year (2017).
 
It was chaired by Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Frimpong Boateng.
 
The mandate of the committee was to among other things enforce the ban on small scale mining and develop a comprehensive road map to guide the activities of small-scale miners.
 
After a year of comprehensive research and careful consultation with all interest groups, the committee has completed the road map that will regulate the activities of the Small Scale Miners and guide their operation.