The Ghana National Association of Small Scale miners (GNASSM) in the Eastern Region is set to plant one – million trees on lands they have reclaimed in their Operational areas.
Addressing the media at Akyem Nsutem on Tuesday, GNASSM urged members to reclaim all abandoned pits for this exercise.
The Association said majority of Small Scale Miners have always been law-abiding and respected the environment through adherence to environmental regulations in line with their operation.
According to the Association, Small Scale mining is very critical to Ghana’s economy and the supply chain of gold therefore must be protected.
Leonard Mensah public relations officer for GNASSM in the Eastern region noted that gold for wedding rings and decoration of traditional rulers among other uses would be a scarce commodity if small-scale miners stop operating in the country.
According to them, large-scale mining companies export all their gold therefore should small-scale mining stops operating; Ghana will have to import refined gold from abroad to serve local needs.
The government has renewed its commitment to fight against illegal mining after the initial fight fairly failed.
The current military intervention targets illegal miners on river bodies and forest reserves.
Many excavators have been burnt by the task force but this has modus has been questioned by Occupy Ghana a pressure group saying it is an illegal act and must be stopped.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
