Blanket ban on small-scale mining improper – Minerals Commission CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, has raised concerns over recent calls for a total ban on small-scale mining in Ghana.

Appearing before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament on Monday, October 7, Ayisi argued that imposing a blanket ban would be an unfair move, as it would negatively affect small-scale miners who are operating legally and adhering to regulations.

He emphasised the need to address illegal mining commonly known as galamsey specifically, rather than penalizing all miners indiscriminately, as some are in full compliance with the law.

“When you say ban small-scale mining, in my understanding, it means that don’t allow anybody to do it lawfully. I understand the situation and the anger of Ghanaians but the people who have sunk a borehole will be punished because folks along the Pra, Birim, and co are misbehaving.

“These are the issues that we are facing and so I advised the government and told my minister that it will not be proper to have a wholesale ban.”

Many associations and unions including Organised Labour have expressed disdain toward the illegal mining menace and have demanded a ban on all forms of mining.

Organised Labour has set October 10 to strike against what it says is the government’s failure to curb the menace to protect Ghana’s waterbodies and forest reserves.