He explained that though government has rolled out measures to clamp down on activities of illegal miners, results yielded so far in the crusade are still unsatisfactory.

[contextly_sidebar id=”C4c3Wx4vI0lCtEE7cD540AZegRgncH0z”]There is currently a ban on small-scale mining in the country following the widespread devastation of the water resources and forest reserves due to the activities of illegal miners.

A six-month ban, which was imposed by the Ministry earlier in 2017, elapsed in October 2017, but was extended to January 2018.

John Peter Amewu indicated that his Ministry will continue to dialogue with the association on the possibility of lifting the ban.

“I had a meeting last week with the small-scale association so we are in close contact and something good will definitely come up… We want to finalize everything and then we can make a pronouncement. There is also a ministerial committee that is working alongside my Ministry to see how we can address this…”

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale miners, whose members have been largely affected, has warned of dire consequences should the ban be extended again.

The Association urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to lift the ban on small-scale mining and rather ensure strict enforcement of the country’s mining laws.

We’re targetted in galamsey fight’

Meanwhile, the small-scale miners have held the view that the government’s anti-galamsey fight is targetted at them, although large-scale miners are expected to be subjected to strict government supervision as well.

‘Small-scale miners stage protest’

In September 2017, some small-scale miners in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, staged a demonstration over the government’s decision to extend the mining ban.

Despite some police arrests and firing of tear gas at the protesters, the organizers described the demonstration as successful.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t in talks with stakeholders over mining ban – Amewu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This follows the Chamber’s caution to stakeholders including small-scale miners against stampeding government into lifting the ban on small-scale mining.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zdQwM3G5xTYtjEMVqgpeENfzQVZ2qQV9″]According to Godwin Armah, the General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, the government has not been engaging enough in lifting the ban on small-scale mining.

“We are seeing clearly from the statement he made, that the chamber is against indigenous mining, because for close to a year, if you are saying still we should not put pressure on government for government to put all the process in place before we start mining, does it mean that all those who are operating on the large scale under the chamber are doing the right thing,” he quizzed.

The General Secretary is anxious about why the Chamber does not want to put in measures that will allow them to start work, whiles the government continues with the process of sanitizing the mining sector.

The Association said this situation is unfortunate, considering the role of small-scale miners within the sector.

The small-scale miners want government to review its stance on the ban on small-scale mining.

“Once we put the system in place and structure in place, let us start working, let the small-scale miners start their operation, and then we make sure the right things are done, and we enforce the law so that the small-scale miners will mine in a sustainable manner,” he said.

The government announced an extension of the ban on all forms of small-scale mining in the country by three months in 2017, bringing the new deadline to January 2018.

The government earlier in 2017 imposed a six-month ban on small-scale mining as part of efforts to end illegal mining and its related activities, which adversely affected the environment, particularly water bodies and forest reserves.

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By: Farida Yusif/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Small scale miners angry over prolonged ban appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Lands and Natural resources, John Peter Amewu, who made the announcement today, Friday, said the ban is expected to be lifted by January 2018.

The extension comes not long after some small scale miners in the Ashanti Region, embarked on a demonstration to demand an end to it, saying it was having an impact on their livelihood.

“There is an extension for three months, and the Association has been informed. The people we are dealing with are aware. The ban has been extended. This was supposed to end somewhere in October,” he added.

The government earlier in 2017 imposed a six-month ban on small-scale mining as part of efforts to end illegal mining and its related activities, which adversely affected the environment, particularly water bodies and forest reserves.

The sector minister, John Peter Amewu, during a tour of some reclamation projects at Kyebi in the Eastern Region, said government has set up a committee to monitor development in the sector before the its five-year Multilateral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP) would be implemented.

“Just yesterday [Thursday], cabinet has given approval for the multi-sectorial mining integrated project. But as you may know, there is an adhoc committee in place that is doing some exercise. Immediately the committee finishes its work we will roll out the MMP project. I’m expecting it to commence maybe in February because we expect the ban to continue for the next three months. And when the ban is finally lifted, then the MMIP will be rolled on which there will be more sustainable approach,” he added.

Government had earlier in August tasked a joint military and police task-force code-named Operation Vanguard, to enforce the ban on illegal mining.

So far, the team has been able to arrest over  nearly 500 people some of who are facing prosecution in different parts of the country.

In some cases, seized mining equipment have been seized and destroyed from various mining sites.

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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ban on small scale mining extended by 3-months appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.