The Inspector of Mines at the Western Regional Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission (MC), Mr. Desmond Boahen, has stated that foreign nationals are not permitted to own concessions for small scale mining in the country.
He emphasized that small scale mining is exclusive to Ghanaians according to the Mining Act (Act 703).
However, a provision in the Act, ?Mine Support System? which allows foreigners to provide services and logistics to small scale miners is mostly misinterpreted and abused leading to the operation of small scale mining by foreign nationals.
He therefore called on the law enforcement agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assemblies (MMDAs), chiefs and the judiciary to be vigilant to bring culprits to book as enshrined in the Mining Act.
He also mentioned the unwillingness of stakeholders to cooperate with his outfit in arresting culprits, limited logistics and under staffing as challenges to effective monitoring and arresting of culprits.
Mr. Boahen made this statement at a workshop for Industrial Minerals and Small Scale Gold Mining Operators in the Western Region.
He cautioned against sand weaning at the sea shores and said the law does not permit that except in few instances where the District Assemblies (DA) apply for a permit to do so for a particular project.
The Western Regional Crime Officer, Chief Supt. James Kofi Abraham, highlighted that his outfit would make sure that the laws of the land in relation to mining are observed and applied to the maximum as well as arresting and prosecuting those found culpable.
He hinted that 17 arrests were made from January ? July, 2011 while 16 have been made from January ? July, 2012. Predominant people arrested include Chinese nationals who came into the country as tourists and are later engaging in illegal mining activities.
?These Chinese men often flout our laws by mining in forest zones, water bodies and carry sophisticated weapons with 7 and 21 cases of death through illegal mining being recorded in the beginning and ending of July, 2012,? he disclosed.
He lamented that illegal miners are poor and unskilled people who work under poor and unsafe conditions which often leads to untimely deaths and exposure to dangerous chemicals such as mercury among others.
Supt. Abraham further expressed the worry that illegal miners engage in armed robbery, rivalry and prostitution among other social vices.
To this wake, his outfit is ever ready to cooperate with all the stakeholders in curbing these challenges and called on them to assist the police in controlling the menace by willfully giving out information to them.
STORY: FROM SETH AMEYAW DANQUAH, TAKORADI, W/R.
