Toni Aubynn: ‘tougher punishment for illegal miners’

Dr. Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, has proposed tougher punishment for people caught in illegal mining.

He said that under the proposed law, people caught illegally mining will pay 5,000 penalty units -- which is GH₵60,000 -- or in default serve a three-year jail term or both, adding: “If you are a foreigner, it is 17,000 penalty units”. In the existing situation, a foreigner could be caught doing illegal mining and the Court will fine him GH₵60 or GH₵100. “Is this deterrent enough?” he asked.

It has been realised that the punitive measures for flouting the Minerals and Mining Law, Act 703, of 2006, are not deterrent enough. 

On a working tour by the Minerals Commission’s Board of some mines in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Aubynn said under the existing law cases involving illegal mining are heard only at the High Courts -- and added that with the proposed law, all levels of the Courts structure will hear such cases and all miming equipment will be seized at such unauthorised sites.

Dr. Aubynn said the proposed law will help clamp down on illegal mining as it will demand people and enterprises to regularise their concessions, cover the pits when they no longer need them, and ensure workman-safety to avoid fatal accidents.

Seven members of the newly-constituted board led by its chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Kadadjan, inspected the extent of work done at the big, uncompleted Asanko Mine at Manso Nkran before visiting the small-scale Lydia Mining Enterprise and Banible Ventures at Dawuso.

They met with the workers at all the sites visited, and shared in their success stories and challenges. Mr. Kadadjan was satisfied with the work done so far at Asanko Mines, whose development, he said, is critical -- especially at this time when the price of gold is dropping and companies are retrenching their labour forces.

He commended the two small-scale firms for their safe operations and resolved to reclaim the lands; and promised that the board, and particularly government, will give them any assistance they need in order to grow.