The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners have urged government to lift the ban on small scale mining that has been in force for nine months.

According to General Secretary, Godwin Armah,  it was not prudent to enforce the ban as illegal miners have taken advantage of the moratorium to upscale their activities.

“The ban has really given small scale miners the urge to access our concessions and mine with limited opposition. They are now employing different means and strategies to engage in the activity because we have been off our concessions for months. We therefore appeal to government to reconsider its decision and lift the ban to allow us return to work,” he stated.

He was speaking during a press briefing at Koforidua in the Eastern region on the association’s contribution to efforts towards ending the menace.

The development of the Multi-sectoral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP), he said was a positive step that could be implemented to align all forms of small scale mining in a sustainable manner.

In addition to government’s efforts towards ending illegal mining, the General Secretary noted that the association has so far committed about GHc1.5million into its operations including the deployment of a taskforce to fight activities of illegal mining.

The taskforce, with the support of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, intensified its operations resulting in the arrest of about 32 illegal miners within the last two weeks at Akubuosu, Anyinam Accra Village, Muoso, Agyapomaa, Kyebi, Nsuapemso, Sankubanse and Abomosu, all in the Eastern region, Mr Armah added.

Accordingly, about 24 of them have been remanded by the Koforidua Circuit Court to face further prosecution for flouting government’s directive on small scale mining.

He reiterated the preparedness of the association to support government in its fight to end activities of illegal mining.

Dr. Isaac Karikari, National Coordinator, MMIP, explained that all adhoc measures including the ban on small scale mining would be reviewed when the MMIP, which has been approved by cabinet and scheduled to be launched in February this year, is rolled out.

He said government was concerned about the harsh realities facing licensed small scale miners due to the ban and would in due course make announce its decision on whether or not lift the ban.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kojo Gyan Kyere, Deputy Eastern Regional Police Commander, assured that his outfit would not compromise on its mandate to flush out recalcitrant illegal miners who continue to operate despite the prevalence of the ban.

He noted that the Police was investigating all the arrested illegal miners to be able to secure stiffer punishment that would deter others from engaging in the act.


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