Let’s Ensure Sanity In Mining

Mining has been one of the major sources of income to the country apart from cocoa and timber. That is why the state spends a lot of resources to protect that sector.

Indeed, the mining sub-sector is said to have contributed 27 per cent of government revenue as collected by the Domestic Tax Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority in 2012. The sector also contributed 42 per cent in terms of the local economy of total merchandise export in the same year.

If managed properly, therefore, with all players carrying out their operations effectively and as expected, that sector could be a great catalyst for economic development.

Unfortunately, the mining sector has been characterised by practices that have tended to create a bad image for it.

Principal among them is illegal small-scale mining, referred to in local parlance as ‘galamsey’. The activities of these operators over the years became so intense and disturbing that scores of foreigners, mainly from China, ‘invaded’ the country in their numbers to mine.

Despite the frequent accidents and death of galamsey operators, the practice continued, sometimes in concessions of large-scale miners, polluting our waters and generally depriving communities in which they operate of a safe environment.

It took the intervention of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Mining to stop the operations of some of the illegal miners. The exercise led to the arrest and deportation of many Chinese miners who many believed got their mining ‘concessions’ through Ghanaian fronts.

We know that many of them have restarted their operations so we urge the task force to restart its work and deal decisively with the operators.

While the activities of galamsey operators have been momentarily reduced, there exist other mining companies that, although may be properly licensed to operate, may not be following laid down regulations.

The recent exercise by the Environmental Protection Agency in which a surface mine operated by FMCI Accra Limited at Mpeasam in the Ashanti Region was ordered to close down is a sign that the EPA is determined to ensure that firms involved in activities that have direct effect on the environment conform with best environmental practices.

The activities of the company, which has changed names from Romex Ghana Limited to Aburi Goldfield Limited and to its current name since October 2012, without recourse to the EPA, has led to the pollution of the Ayensu stream, hitherto the source of potable water for the people of Mpeasam.

It had also failed to carry out a reclamation exercise as required by law and operated in an oil-spilled environment.

The Daily Graphic is aware that there are many such mining companies across the country whose activities are causing havoc in communities and depriving the locals of their sources of livelihood.

We urge the EPA not to make this exercise a nine-day wonder. It should continue with it until Ghana is rid of irresponsible mining companies which are not ready to operate by the rules. It is only thus will the activities of mining companies be of real benefit to the country.

Source: Graphic.com.gh