President John Dramani Mahama has said that the National Democratric Congress (NDC), will reclassify the Ghana’s mining code oto include artisanal gold mining.
This according to him, will curb illegal mining (Galamsey), which has become rampant in many gold mining areas of the country.
Speaking at a campaign rally at Wassa Akropong in the Wassa Amenfi East Constituency of the Western Region, President Mahama said” if you look at our mining code you will see that we have only two kinds of mining, large scale and small scale. We will reclassify it to have large scale mining, medium scale mining and then artisanal mining.”
He explained that “The medium and Small-scale mining will register and form corporatives of about 21 persons each. You then apply to have licence from the Minerals Commission where you will be directed to where you should work. While working, you will be required to start saving with the District Assembly. After your work is done, the Assembly will release your savings back to you for reclamation of the land. This will ensure that our environment is protected.”
Over the years, illegal and small scale miners have destroyed the environment through the use of dangerous mning methods, leaving many river bodies affected.
The involvement of Chinese nationals in the illegal activity particularly in the Wassa Akropong areas in the Western Region, has contributed to the decline in the production cocoa, as many of the cocoa farms have been sold for mining.
Government functionaries have on various platforms blamed local chiefs for the increase in the pratice, whiles some chiefs have also blamed politicians for the situation.
The President noted that “after the reclassification, the Minerals Commission will hold a stakeholders meeting in Kumasi soon to solicit your views on how we can give a new face to your business. And I will make sure to be there in person to grace the occasion. We expect that when that is done, you can all go about your business without any obstructions from the police and the military.”
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana