Illegal Miners in brisk business. INSET: Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru
Acting Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru has directed the Mineral Commission office in the Upper East region to collaborate with the security agencies to close down all illegal mines in the region with immediate effect.
His directive comes after government complained bitterly about the devastating effect of the activities of illegal miners on the environment.
According to the Acting Upper East Regional Minister, the participation of foreign nationals in the activity is against the mining laws of the country and should not be condoned by community elders.
Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru gave the directive after he toured Zoog, Yakote and Nangode mining communities in the Nabdam district and Widnaba and Zaronga communities in the Bawku West districts of the Upper East region. He was accompanied by a combined Police and Immigration Operation Team.
He advised all Ghanaians operating illegal
mines to take steps to regularize their operations with the Mineral Commission and the District Assemblies.
In line with this, the Regional Minister tasked all Municipal and District Chief Executives (DCEs) and various District Security Committees to go round their districts to ensure the closure of illegal mines that pose threat to the communities.
He added that their activities threaten the lives of the people.
According to Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru, individuals and groups that flout the mining laws could face arrest and prosecution if reported to the law enforcement agencies across the country.
He advised all small-scale mining operators in the areas and other parts of the region to comply with the mining laws by ensuring that all their activities are authorized.
At Zaronga Community, the minister cautioned owners of the various mining zones there to desist from recruiting children for any mining activity, noting that the practice was unlawful.
Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Widnaba