The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi says a collective effort can help the Akufo-Addo Administration fight against illegal mining activities in the various river bodies across the country.
According to Mr. Ayisi, the general public and media should not relent in sharing any information in order to help curb the menace.
Addressing Journalists in Accra on Sunday, Mr. Ayisi said "The media and general public are reminded that the fight against illegal mining should be a collective effort of all citizens"
"Lets all get onboard, get us the information, report what you see and hear and help us to help you."
He also mentioned government's permanent solution to the fight against illegal mining.
Mr. Ayisi noted that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as well as his outfit in collaboration with the various security agencies will patrol rivers Pra, Ankobrah, Offin, Brim and Black Volta with the recently commissioned speed boats, as way of preventing illegal miners from returning to mine in the waterbodies.
He assured the general public that the patrol will not only focus on the main waterbodies but also on the tributaries and the small streams, stressing that the matter is being investigated and swift and ruthless action will be taken to deal with it and any other such illegal activities.
"Our resolve is resolute and total and we will not for any reason give up this fight"
The CEO noted that within the last two years, Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Commission, has introduced several measures to deal with illegal mining, popularly referred to as “galamsey”
He outlined some of these measures mentioning the introduction of Operation Halt II, engagement with relevant stakeholders, revamping of the Community Mining Scheme, geological investigation of designated areas to identify mineralized areas to be allocated to small scale miners, the distribution of one hundred (100) mercury-free equipment to ensure responsible mining and the inauguration of District Mining Committees to monitor and supervise small scale operations.
Mr. Ayisi asserted that as part of all these enforcement mechanisms, intelligence gathering have also been enhanced on all fronts to ensure that the fight is properly fought and won.
He reiterated that a tracking regulation has been passed with a tracking control room to be functional in September, adding that he believes in addition to these permanent patrols, the tracking will help together with drones connected to their control systems and these will hoist over the rivers for frequent report to the Commission.
The CEO assured the public of its unflinching commitment in the fight to sanitize the small scale mining sector and also sensitize the public with more educational information.
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Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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