In GLRSSMP teams’ efforts in
strengthening the regulatory framework
for Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM), with a focus on building the capacity
of key government agencies involved in ASM regulation and compliance
monitoring, on Thursday, March 17, 2022, inaugurated the Amenfi West and East
District Mining Committees.
The committee's mandate,
according to The Deputy Minister for
Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, Hon. George Mireku Duker, is "to
regulate the small-scale mining sector in the municipality, which includes
community mining and all licensed small-scale mining firms in the
municipality."
“It
is important that you take this mandate seriously because you have a charge of
regularising the mining sector to the satisfaction of Ghanaians. More
especially making sure that the river bodies in this district are in a good
state as far as this country is concerned,” he said
The
Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister, said the success of the fight
against illegal mining under the 2nd phase of Operation Halt, can only succeed
with committed District Mining Committees. He added that the government will
not relent in its effort to make phase two of Operation Halt a success, and
therefore charged the Committee members to show commitment to clamping down on
illegal mining.
Hon.
George Duker, expressed to the committee members that the herculean task handed
to them was a manifestation of their absolute belief and confidence in them to
deliver on their mandate and help shape the mining industry in the country, particularly
their district.
“We
have to take this task of making sure we have a system where we can patrol the
river bodies and ensure that they are cared for from the activities of
‘galamseyers’. As a Ministry, we are doing our part. Recently, we procured some
speed boats that would be put on some key river bodies. We will also recruit
river guards that would be permanently patrolling the banks of these river
bodies. But we cannot do this without your effort as Mining Committees, thus we
must work together to ensure that we get these river bodies cared for. It is
our topmost priority”, he said.
Mr
Duker reiterated that the Community Mining Scheme, which has replaced the
destructive galamsey, is the preserve of Ghanaians and that the government sees
it as a module to improve the welfare of Ghanaian youth. He revealed that the
government has purchased mercury-free machines in order to conduct sustainable
and safe mining operations.
The
MCE of Amenfi East, Fredrick Korankye, expressed gratitude to the Deputy
Minister and promised to work tirelessly to clean up the municipality's mining
sector.
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