Task-force to deal with illegal mining

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has established regional task-forces to complement efforts of National Security to deal with illegal mining activities in the country.

“The Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of the Interior and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to help deal with illegal mining operations.

“The Ministry will also ensure that small-scale mining remains the preserve of Ghanaians in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703).”

Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, speaking at a news conference in Accra, said five task-forces in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti, Western and Central Regions are in operation to develop lasting solutions to the activities of illegal miners in the communities. 

He said the Ministry had identified 77 areas covering 4,653 kilometres to investigate for alluvial and primary gold deposits, which will be parcelled to small-scale miners for exploration.

“The Ministry will encourage the formation of small-scale miners associations to help manage small-scale mining activities, while the Mineral Commission will intensify its education on the formation of district mining committees. So far, two of the committees have been inaugurated in Tarkwa and Bolgatanga.” 

Mr. Hammah explained that government is providing equipment and financial support to small-scale mining cooperatives to assist them improve on their operations and serve as a form of enticement for illegal miners to regularise their activities.

“A revolving fund of GH¢740,000.00  has been provided for small-scale mining cooperatives and groups in Konongo-Odumasi, Ekom Yeya in Bibiani, Talensi-Nabdam in Bolgatanga and a Mining Group at Gomoa Ajumako.

“The Mineral Commission has also established 23,000 acres of oil-palm plantation in five communities in the Prestea-Huni Valley District to help the people find alternative livelihoods apart from mining,” he stated.  

He disclosed that about 28,000 people are employed in the mining sector, while mineral royalties returned to the mining communities in the Western, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions from 2009 to 2011 stood at GH¢41million. The corporate social responsibility programme of the mining companies stood at GH¢43million within the same period.

Mr. Hammah said six mining regulations have been passed by Parliament to operationalise the Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703).

Touching on investment inflow, he explained that the mining sector from 2009 to 2011 recorded about US$2.5billion whilst gold production increased consistently: 3.1 million ounces in 2009, 3.4 million ounces in 2010; and 3.6 million ounces in 2011, being the highest gold production ever in the country.

Tax on gold contributed one billion Ghana cedis, representing 27.61 percent of total collection for the Ghana Revenue Authority in 2011. It also contributed 42 percent of total merchandise export within the same period.