The Deputy Minister for Land and Natural Resources, Akwasi Konadu, has stated that the Minerals Commission has never granted licenses for individuals or companies to mine on water bodies.
Speaking on Ghanakoma Morning Show on Akoma 87.9fm in Kumasi with Sir John, Konadu said anyone engaging in illegal mining, or galamsey on water bodies is doing so without a license, and the Ministry strongly opposes such operations.
He clarified that, “there are licensed small-scale miners who have been operating lawfully for a long time.”
He observed that while the number of small-scale mining operations has increased due to license registrations, those without licenses often resort to illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves.
“The complaint from small-scale miners is that they don’t have licenses, and they want licenses to work lawfully. There are thousands of Ghanaians out there who want licenses to work and live in peace. The numbers in our book are not synonymous with illegal mining,” he explained on November 1.
Mr Konadu emphasized that the pollution of water bodies is primarily caused by individuals who mine illegally without licenses, using platforms and various devices to extract minerals directly from rivers.
“These are people who do not have licenses. The Minister or the Minerals Commission will not recommend the grant of a license to somebody to enter the water bodies, mount a platform and do that kind of activity. That is illegal,” he stated.
He said government alone cannot be blamed for illegal mining activities in the country and called for collective responsibility by all to help fight galamsey menace in the country.
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Source:
3news.com
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