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The government is committed to taking proactive steps to regulate the emerging mining industry in the north of the country.
According to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the move was aimed at ensuring that the region’s gold deposits are exploited in a sustainable manner for national development.
The minister, who is currently on a week-long tour of the north of the country, said the Minerals Commission will enforce mining laws to guard against illegal mining in northern Ghana.
Emerging mining industry
The northern part of the country has recently become dynamic with mining activities, with small and large scale operations.
Cardinal Resources is currently undertaking preparatory work for the establishment of one of the largest mining operations in Talensi, in the heart of the Upper East region.
Earl International Gold (GH) Ltd has also obtained the necessary permits to begin large-scale underground mining in the same region.
In addition, there was the commercial discovery of iron ore at Sheini, in the northern region; significant gold deposits at Dollar Power, a border town in the Savannah region.
Characteristic of mining regions across the country, there are illegal small-scale mining activities in Nagroma in the Northeast region.
Mental Health
Mr Jinapor said the government was determined to nip emerging issues in the bud through stronger regulation of the industry.
Speaking at a meeting with the association of small-scale miners in Bolgatanga, Haut-Est region, Mr. Jinapor said that given the important role that the mining industry has played in the development nationally, proactive measures would be taken to protect the industry from illegal activities that could derail fortunes.
“Conventional wisdom was that mineral deposits were only found in the south, but as we can see now there are also significant proven resources in the north. If we don’t start tightened regulation at the very beginning, we will lose the opportunity.
“Lessons from the mining industry in southern Ghana should guide our actions in the north, and the government will not back down to ensure stronger regulation,” he said.
Sustainable mining
He observed that minerals need to be extracted in a sustainable manner to ensure that the quality of rivers and the integrity of the ecosystem in northern Ghana is not compromised.
The Minister stressed that the institutional, legal and operational framework of the sector must be adapted and able to face all emerging challenges.
He urged people in the small-scale mining sector to play by the rules of this sector.
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