The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), George Mireku Duker, says there is no justification for government to ban small scale/community mining, when both are done in a responsible manner.
According to him, unlike illegal mining, which is destroying water bodies and the environment, the community and small scale mining do not destroy the environment
To him, therefore, calls for total ban on mining, including those who are doing the right thing, cannot be justified.
The Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency, reiterated that government would not ban responsible mining.
There is currently pressure on government by groups such as the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Civil Society Organisations among others,for the former to declare state of emergency by way of banning small scale and community mining.
This is as a result of the destruction being done to our water bodies and forests through mining. TUC has scheduled October 10, 2024 to declare strike, following government’s indecision to ban small scale/community mining, per the deadline given government.
But speaking to hundreds of workers of Tarkwa Community mining at Akoon on Monday, the Legislator stressed that the call for total ban on mining, whether small scale or community mining, would not be countenanced by the government.
He argued that those calling for the total ban have failed to distinguish between illegal mining and regulated mining.
Illegal mining, popularly known as “Galamsey”,Mr Duker argued, had already been banned in accordance with the mining regulations.
“Galamsey is already illegal, so what is in the call for the ban. If you say ban, then it means you are banning responsible mining. So, why call on government to ban responsible mining in the country?”
Mr Duker assured the group that government would not sit down for anybody or groups to undermine its efforts to build and promote the mining economy within the mining enclaves in Ghana, arguing that the extractive industry should not be the preserve of foreigners and the capital markets.
He highlighted the case that Ghanaians and indigenous investors also deserved to exploit the minerals for their benefits.
Banning community mining, Deputy Minister for MLNR pointed out that it would affect the local economy, cripple incomes and livelihoods and ultimately threaten the stability and security of families in theTarkwa mining enclave.
He, however, urged the group to support government in the promotion of community mining concept and also endeavor to desist from mining in river bodies, as well as polluting and destroying the environment.
He also asked them to pray for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign aimed at promoting and sustaining the mining industry in Ghana.
Meanwhile, management and workers of Tarkwa Community Mining have called on the government to resist the wholesale attempt to ban mining operations, including community mining companies.
According to them, their operations do not affect the environment and that calls for the ban would even affect the local economy and livelihoods.
The Group raised these concerns during a tour organised by the ‘Miners for Bawumia’ (M4B) at the Tarkwa Community Mining site at Tarkwa.
The Public Relations Manager at Tarkwa Community Mining, Kwadwo Sarfo, maintained that the community mining is done underground, stressing “we don’t pollute river bodies or destroy the environment.”
He added, “We have our safety policy which says -think safety, think about your life”.
