Illicit artisanal small-scale gold mining is on a collision course with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over what the former have described as “exorbitant increases of environmental operation permit,” by the latter.
With the 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 GHCȼ750.00 to $2,400 ($ 300 for processing and $ 2,100 for permit).
But the 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 noted that even though the fees and charges were approved by Parliament, the association felt they were on the high side.
According to them, the high fees could be a disincentive for Ghanaians to acquire the necessary permit and license to carry out mining operations.
They pointed out that with the passage of the fees and charges amendment instrument, 2014 (L.I. 2216) by Parliament, the agency got increases in its fees and charges, especially with regard to small scale mining.
“The permit fee for small scale mines rose from GHCȼ750.00 to $2,400 ($ 300 for processing and $ 2,100 for permit),” they added.
They said the association has also observed the increasing “dollarisation” of the fees and charges contrary to the laws and directives of the Bank of Ghana.
The leadership indicated that the GNASSM was not against the upward review of the fees and charges by the ministries, agencies and departments as far as they were not exorbitant and unrealistic.
They asserted that the association was disappointed that despite formal petition for a 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 the passage of the amendment instrument to serve as a check on the institutions and the operation of the fees and charges miscellaneous provision Act, 2009.
They expressed the hope that government would not ignore the wakeup call but rather streamline all fees and charges in consonance with government’s vision.
<<Print>>