Banning Mining won't solve underlying Issues - Minerals Commission CEO

Accra, Ghana - Martin Kwaku Ayisi, CEO of the Minerals Commission, has warned against a comprehensive ban on small-scale mining, stating it would unfairly penalize legal operators in the sector.

In a statement, Ayisi emphasized the need for targeted regulation of unlicensed mining activities rather than a blanket ban, which would have devastating consequences for legitimate small-scale miners.

According to Ayisi, the root cause of illegal mining is the scarcity of authorized mining sites, and simply banning mining activities or increasing security measures will not address this underlying issue.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, he said, “The discussion is about illegal mining. In other words, persons or individuals who don’t have all the authorisation to go and work and they are working, which is illegal."

"We need to separate it from several others who have obtained licenses and are working. So when you say we should ban small-scale mining lawfully, I have a problem with that," he added on September 7.

According to Mr. Ayisi, the scarcity of licensed mining sites is the primary driver of illegal mining.

He cautioned that merely prohibiting mining or beefing up security won't address the root cause of the problem, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive solution that addresses the shortage of authorized mining areas.

Instead, the Minerals Commission CEO advocates for a more nuanced approach, focusing on providing accessible, licensed mining sites to reduce the incentive for illegal mining.

“So we need to work towards addressing how to get a place for them to work,” he said.

Ayisi's comments come as the government considers measures to curb the environmental and social impact of small-scale mining, highlighting the need for a balanced solution that protects both the environment and the livelihoods of legal miners.

Source : Lead News Online