The Minerals Commission says it will identify and allocate parcels of land rich in gold to Artisanal Small- Scale Mining (ASM).
This move is in a bid to reduce the impact of mining on the environment, as small-scale miners, whether legal or illegal contribute to the destruction of water bodies, arable and fertile lands, and the nation’s forests.
The Minerals Commission will embark on this venture in collaboration with the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA).
“This will not only increase gold production but will also help minimize the wanton land degradation and water pollution among others. In adherence to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Minerals Commission has procured mercury-free gold processing machines, known as “Gold Katcha” to support ASM operators on hire purchase basis,” chairperson of the Minerals Commission, Barbara Oteng-Gyasi has revealed.
According to her, this move will go a long way to reduce water pollution and land degradation while increasing gold find.
“This will not only increase gold production but will also help minimize the wanton land degradation and water pollution among others. In adherence to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Minerals Commission has procured mercury-free gold processing machines, otherwise known as “Gold Katcha” to support ASM operators on hire purchase basis. The “Gold Katcha” machine also increases gold find and earnings of ASM operators to support their families,” she revealed at the commissioning of the Bibiani District office of Minerals Commission in the Western North Region.
The Minerals Commission together with the Western North Regional Security Council have formed a taskforce to combat illegal mining.
They have been numerous calls to government to place a ban on small scale mining, however there have been mixed reactions to this call. Whereas a faction of Ghanaians, including the Minister for Lands and Natural resource believe the ban is uncalled for, other groups say the ban is essential in winning the fight against illegal mining.
