The CEO made this declaration when the Commission organised a press conference on Sunday, 14th August, 2022, following a video circulating on social media about an alleged illegal mining activity on the Offin River.
In his statement, he assured the general public that the patrol will not only focus on the main waterbodies but also on the tributaries and the small streams, stressing that the matter is being investigated and swift and ruthless action will be taken to deal with it and any other such illegal activities. “Our resolve is resolute and total and we will not for any reason give up this fight”.
He noted that within the last two years, Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Commission, has introduced several measures to deal with illegal mining, popularly referred to as “galamsey”.
He outlined some of these measures mentioning the introduction of Operation Halt II, engagement with relevant stakeholders, revamping of the Community Mining Scheme, geological investigation of designated areas to identify mineralized areas to be allocated to small scale miners, the distribution of one hundred (100) mercury-free equipment to ensure responsible mining and the inauguration of District Mining Committees to monitor and supervise small scale operations.
He asserted that as part of all these enforcement mechanisms, intelligence gathering have also been enhanced on all fronts to ensure that the fight is properly fought and won.
Mr. Ayisi reiterated that a tracking regulation has been passed with a tracking control room to be functional in September, adding that he believes in addition to these permanent patrols, the tracking will help together with drones connected to their control systems and these will hoist over the rivers for frequent report to the Commission.
He stressed forcefully, calling out on the media and the general public that the fight against illegal mining should be a collective effort of all citizens “Lets all get onboard, get us the information, report what you see and hear and help us to help you.”
The CEO assured the Ghanaian public of its unflinching commitment in the fight to sanitize the small scale mining sector and also sensitize the public with more educational information.
RUTHLESSLY
Meanwhile the Minerals Commission has stated that it would investigate and deal ruthlessly with individuals engaging in illegal mining on the Offin River.
“The Commission wishes to assure the general public that the matter is being investigated and swift and ruthless action will be taken to deal with this and any other such illegal activities. Our resolve is resolute and total,” the Commission has stated in response to a video on social media about alleged illegal mining in the Offin River.
www.ghanareaders.com
In a statemen issued over the weekend, the Minerals Commission stated that within the last two years, Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) and the Commission, has introduced several measures to deal with illegal mining, popularly referred to as “galamsey”. These measures include the introduction of Operation Halt II, engagement with relevant stakeholders, revamping of the Community Mining Scheme, geological investigation of designated areas to identify mineralized areas to be allocated to small scale miners, the distribution of one hundred (100) mercury-free equipment to ensure responsible mining and the inauguration of District Mining Committees to monitor and supervise small scale operations.
“All enforcement mechanisms as well as intelligence gathering have been enhanced on all fronts,” the Commission stated.
The statement was signed by Martin Kwaku Ayisi, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Commission of Ghana.
Furthermore, to effectively deal with illegal mining in water bodies, the MNLR recently commissioned five speed boats which have been handed over to the Ghana Navy to patrol Rivers Ankobra, Pra, Offin, Birim and the Black Volta. This is to ensure permanent patrols on the water bodies as way of preventing illegal miners from returning to mine in our waterbodies.
The Commission reiterated its call to the media and the general public that the fight against illegal mining should be a collective effort of all citizens. In this regard, the Commission encouraged all and sundry to support it by making available any information on illegal mining activities such as the video in circulation, and such leads will be acted upon with dispatch and integrity.
The Commission assured the Ghanaian public of its unflinching commitment in to the fight to sanitize the small-scale mining sector.
