A social and political non-partisan pressure group, OccupyGhana says it has taken note of the recent announcement by the Inter Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) on the road map to lifting the ban placed on artisanal and small scale mining.
OccupyGhana request clarification on concerns raised by Monday, September, 24, 2018.
In the statement, OccupyGhana said, their primary concern stems from the following three issues:
- The unconstitutionality of licences and leases granted to persons for the purposes of exploiting Ghana’s mineral wealth without specific parliamentary ratification;
- The legality or otherwise of foreigners, engaged in small
- The devastation of our forests and water bodies by the illegal activities of mining.
Below Is the full statement copied to gbcghanaonline.com:
RE: PARLIAMENTARY RATIFICATION OF MINERAL RIGHTS, MINING BY FOREIGNERS, AND THE ROAD MAP FOR THE LIFTING OF THE BAN ON SMALL SCALE MINING
OccupyGhana® has taken note of the recent announcement by the Inter Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) on the road map to lifting of the ban placed on artisanal and small scale mining. While we continue to interrogate what seems to be a hurriedly put together proposal by the IMCIM, we are deeply concerned about your role as the regulator, and wish to seek some clarification, particularly in view of our previous engagement with your office on these matters.
Our primary concern stems from the following three issues, which we have had cause to bring to your attention at various times in 2017:
1. The unconstitutionality of licences and leases granted to persons for the purposes of exploiting Ghana’s mineral wealth without specific parliamentary ratification;
2. The legality or otherwise of foreigners, engaged in small scale mining in Ghana; and
3. The devastation of our forests and water bodies by the illegal activities of mining.
In your letter to us dated 3rd May 2017, you said that “the commission had recommended to the minister to impose a moratorium on granting new licences while the commission carries out a comprehensive review and audit of all small scale mining licences granted to date.”
Further, in meetings with your team in May 2017, we were informed of the existence of the Multilateral Mining Integration Project (MMIP), which sought to solve the identified problems with illegal mining.
We find that the above issues have not been adequately addressed and that is why we write to you to seek clarification as follows:
1. Has Parliamentary Ratification or exemption of Licences been obtained?
2. May we have copies of reports of your comprehensive audit of the sector and the findings?
3. May we also have the list of companies which have been granted small scale mining licences, with the names of owners, addresses and contact numbers and any other relevant information?
4. What is the status of the Multilateral Mining Integration Project proposal and its role, if any,in the new road map?
We kindly request that you furnish us with your response by Monday 24th September 2018.
Yours in the service of God and Country,
OccupyGhana®
CC.:
1. The Minister
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Ministries
Accra
2. The Minister
Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
Ministries
Accra
3. The Chief of Staff
Jubilee House
Accra
4. The Right Honourable Speaker
Parliament House
Accra
