Despite the various initiatives by government to reduce illegal mining or galamsey activities, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is indicating that the activity has not stopped yet.
According to the Deputy Minister for the sector, Mr George Mireku Duker, illegal miners have resorted to carrying out their illegal activities at night, a development that is undermining and thwarting the efforts and investment government has made with regards to fighting the menace.
For this reason, the Minister, who spoke on behalf of the sector Minister, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, indicated that the military who have been at the forefront of the fight against galamsey are adopting a new strategy to deal with the situation.
He indicated that he cannot put the modus operandi of the military in the public space, but assured those perpetuating such illegal crimes that the military will come after them.
“We observed that there were some kind of improvement in the water bodies as far as turbidity level is concerned, but unfortunately these recalcitrant persons bounced back to operate in our reserved water bodies.
“The illegal miners have, however, resorted to operating at night to reduce the activities of Operation Halt 2.
“The army is, therefore, reviewing its strategy in this respect. I may not be able to put their modus operandi out, but I am assuring those who are determined to destroy our heritage that we will come after you”.
Mr Duker made this known to the media at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Information to update the country on the progress made by the government in the fight against illegal mining.
The Deputy Minister said, to ensure that illegal miners do not go back to the activities they are being deterred from engaging in, the government has put in place a Community Mining Scheme which will provide some livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries.
“It is also intended to promote sustainable and responsible mining in the sector”, Mr Duker said.
That aside, Mr Dukersaid the Ministry had developed Small Scale and Community Mining Operational manual to regulate mining in the communities.
This manual outlines all the requirements that one need to operate a mining concession, the Deputy Minister said.
Another initiative that Deputy Minister Duker put out was the establishment of a minerals development unit at the Agriculture Development Bank that will address the financial and operational challenges that face small scale miners.
According to the Minister, the unit will assist in giving credit facilities and also facilitate the acquisition earth moving machines to augment operations of small scale miners. He said this initiative help reduce foreign influence in Ghana’s mining sector.
He, however, indicated that going forward, the government intends to establish Minerals Development Bank that will address the needs of small scale miners.
Other initiatives the Minister made mention of was the continuous collaboration between the Ministry and the military in the fight against illegal mining.
He also said the Ministry intends to recruit and train river guards and purchase speed boats for them to patrol Ghana’s rivers. He added that the Ministry will also inaugurate district mining centers that will regulate mining activities at the grassroots.
