The Minerals Commission says until the Geological Survey Authority is mandated to do exploration for small scale miners it will be an arduous task to clamp down on the illegal mining menace.
The commission says for over 30 years successive governments have failed to secure a place for the miners to embark on their operations thereby having about 3 million small scale miners across the country destroying the forest reserves and water bodies in their exploration for mining.
Her comments come amid growing pressure on the government to take decisive action against illegal mining, known as galamsey, which continues to devastate water bodies and the environment.
Various groups, including the Ghana Medical Association and Organized Labour, have called on President Akufo-Addo to ban all small-scale mining activities or declare a state of emergency.
The CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi outlined measures aimed at dealing with the canker of galamsey when he appeared before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament.
