Artisanal small-scale
gold mining companies have described as exorbitant increases of environmental
operation permit cost charged by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
With passage of the fees
and charges amendment instrument, 2014 (L.I. 2216) by Parliament, the EPA got
increases in its environmental operation permit fees and charges -- especially
with regard to small-scale mining.
The permit fee for small-scale mines rose from GHȼ750 to US$2,400 (US$300 for processing and US$2,100 for permit).
But leadership of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has condemned the arbitrary increases in EPA permit fees for small-scale mining sector in the area.
The leadership of GNASSM explained that even though the fees and charges were approved by Parliament, the association feels they are on the high side.
According to the Association, the high fees could be a disincentive for Ghanaians to acquire the necessary permit and licence to carry out mining operations.
They said the association has also observed the increasing ‘dollarisation’ of the fees and charges, contrary to the Bank of Ghana’s laws and directives.
The leadership indicated that the GNASSM is not against the upward review of the fees and charges by the ministries, agencies and departments as long as they are not exorbitant and unrealistic.
They asserted that the Association is disappointed that despite a formal petition for consultative dialogue with operators on the subject matter, there was no response from the authorities.
They therefore called on government to intervene to streamline the fees and charges to stop the dollarisation.
They said government should encourage stakeholder engagements before, during, and after passage of the amendment instrument to serve as a check on the institutions, and operation of the fees and charges miscellaneous provision Act, 2009.
They expressed hope that government would not ignore the wakeup call but rather streamline all fees and charges in consonance with government’s vision.
The permit fee for small-scale mines rose from GHȼ750 to US$2,400 (US$300 for processing and US$2,100 for permit).
But leadership of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has condemned the arbitrary increases in EPA permit fees for small-scale mining sector in the area.
The leadership of GNASSM explained that even though the fees and charges were approved by Parliament, the association feels they are on the high side.
According to the Association, the high fees could be a disincentive for Ghanaians to acquire the necessary permit and licence to carry out mining operations.
They said the association has also observed the increasing ‘dollarisation’ of the fees and charges, contrary to the Bank of Ghana’s laws and directives.
The leadership indicated that the GNASSM is not against the upward review of the fees and charges by the ministries, agencies and departments as long as they are not exorbitant and unrealistic.
They asserted that the Association is disappointed that despite a formal petition for consultative dialogue with operators on the subject matter, there was no response from the authorities.
They therefore called on government to intervene to streamline the fees and charges to stop the dollarisation.
They said government should encourage stakeholder engagements before, during, and after passage of the amendment instrument to serve as a check on the institutions, and operation of the fees and charges miscellaneous provision Act, 2009.
They expressed hope that government would not ignore the wakeup call but rather streamline all fees and charges in consonance with government’s vision.
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