Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, has said more than 250 registered Ghanaians currently engaged in small-scale mining.
According to him, if Ghanaians see people somewhere mining, they should not assume it is galamsey until further probe.
speaking to journalists at a media engagement in Accra to interact and foster a stronger relationship between the media and the Ministry of Environment, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said over 4,000 small scale miners had been trained in sustainable mining and assisted many young people in acquiring alternative livelihood programmes being run by the Ministry of Local Government.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said presently the most difficult aspect of the situation was the issue of local farmers and landowners who continued to hide and engage in illegal mining.
Since there is a formalized process for mining gold on the small-scale, there are legally recognized small-scale mines. Small-scale mining permits can be acquired for a parcel of land by Ghanaian citizens who are over 18 years old (Ghana Government 1989a).
Small scale mining in Ghana is one of the most lucrative business ventures that have not been fully explored.
However, due to illegal activities carried out by unscrupulous dealers, it has been under the red flag by the Government. Illegal small-scale mining leads to the destruction of the environment.
Source: Kofi Atakora
