Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has asked small-scale miners to go back to their concessions and work.
However, they are expected to do responsible mining to prevent arrest, closure of concessions and withdrawal of license.
Mr. Mireku Duker said this when he met with the Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Association of Small Scale Miners in Kumasi.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on April 29th this year, ordered the Military to ensure that illegal mining which is affecting the country’s environment and health-wise.
In the said operations code named ‘Operations Halt’, small-scale mining activities was halted with mining equipment of some recalcitrant miners seized and destroyed.
While some people condemned this, others commended government for saving the country’s water and river bodies which was badly affected by such activities.
Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker said small-scale mining has not been banned in the country but stressed that government is against illegal mining.
He added that it is becoming worrying the spate at which the environment was been degraded by illegal mining.
Mr. Duker said government recognizes the immeasurable contribution of small-scale mining to the growth of the economy however it was imperative to streamline the operations of mining.
Mr. Duker admonished members of the Association to display their licenses, permits at their concessions to prevent any confrontation.
He said the Ministry is to set up a task force to collaborate with the existing Small Scale Miners Taskforce to monitor the activities of small-scale miners and also ensure that mining is done in accordance with regulations.
The Deputy Minister assured members of the Association that government will be collaborating with it on the way forward for responsible mining in the country.
He said plans are being made to ensure that most large-scale mining concessions are owned by Ghanaians.
He again added that the Ministry has decided to have quarterly meetings with members of the Association to ensure mutual cooperation and collaboration on the activities and operations of mining.
Mr. Mireku Duker said government is to commission its Greening Mining soon to prevent the use of chemicals in gold extraction.
An award scheme is to be instituted for small-scale miners to ensure sanity and improved practices in the sector.
STORY BY GEORGINA ANKUMAH