China wants stronger collaboration in the fight against illegal mining

General News on Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Source: ghananewsagency.org

2019-02-13

Mr. Zhu Jing, deputy chief of mission at the Chinese Embbady, ​​said it was important for Accra to work with Beijing to present its project against illegal mining ( galamsey) with a common program.

He added that the two countries should not let the issue of illegal mining undermine their mutual warm relations.

Mr. Jing made this statement Monday in Accra during a roundtable on illegal mining, organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).

The Chinese government, he said, respects and supports the Ghanaian government in its efforts to solve the problem in accordance with laws and regulations.

Mr. Jing said his government formally opposed any Chinese nationals engaging in illegal mining in Ghana.

"Today, I am not here to blame but for a good understanding of illegal mining and its role in China-Ghana relations."

Illegal mining, he said, does not constitute a complete picture of relations between China and Ghana.

The main current of relations between China and Ghana was win-win cooperation, he said, adding that "China is now the largest trading partner and also the main source of investment for Ghana. ".

The discussion titled "The Threat of Galamsey in Ghana: The Way Forward" was chaired by Nana Kobina Nketsia V, a traditional region of Omanhen of Essikado, in the western region.

Representatives from the mining industry, members of parliament, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organizations, academia and the public attended the meeting.

Panelists included Professor Sulemana Al-Hbadan of the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) and Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey, host of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey.

Jing noted, however, that the root cause of illegal small-scale mining was in Ghana, as was the solution.

He said the threat, which had a long history, had caused enormous damage to the environment.

For centuries, he said, illegal mining had been organized to provide sustenance to the Ghanaian people, while it was a very complex interest on which to support it.

"So these are the fundamental reasons why this problem could not be solved after so many years," he noted.

Mr. Jing said, "Since I was stationed in Ghana a few months ago, I have visited some mining sites, even though I have seen some gold, you know. I was deeply shocked by the damage caused by illegal mining in the ground water. "

"In my mind, the illegal mining threat must be stopped by an effective solution.We should lift the window while closing the door.Create more jobs for these minors and guide them to work legally and change their old way of life."

He said that China's position in opposition to illegal mining was very clear and consistent.

"The Chinese government sent several working groups to come to Ghana, different groups had different objectives, sometimes to persuade the local Chinese to return to China, among other solutions," he said.

"Our embbady has also mobilized the Chinese community here in Ghana so that it does not participate in illegal mining and we have issued many relevant warnings on several occasions," he added. .

He added that at the present time, thanks to the joint efforts of China and Ghana, the number of illegal Chinese miners had decreased and that many of them had already left Ghana.

"The solution to the problem lies in Ghana, not in China – these illegal Chinese miners would not come to Ghana without facilitation, support and shelter from the local population," he said.

"We should punish not only the illegal Chinese miners, but also their Ghanaian supporters."

Mr. Jing said he is only tracking illegal Chinese minors; while neglecting their supporters could not solve this complicated problem.

He added that the Chinese side was ready to cooperate with the Ghanaian side to solve the problems of illegal mining.

However, they also faced daunting challenges, including the inadequate and incomplete legal basis.

"Under the Mining and Mining Act of 2006, foreigners are exclusively prohibited from engaging in small-scale mining activities," he said.

"However, foreigners are allowed to provide mining badistance services to a mining rights holder, in accordance with the Mining and Mining Assistance Services Regulations, 2012".

Mr. Jing said that in practice it was very difficult to say what the small-scale mines were and what the support services were; Adding that "it leaves a huge looping hole for foreigners to engage in illegal mining activities".

He added that the other challenge was the dilemma of environmental distraction and rehabilitation.

"The Chinese side is willing to put emphasis on cooperation with the Ghanaian side to combat environmental degradation and to provide appropriate technical badistance.

"However, before we devote ourselves to environmental governance, we should solve the problem of illegal mining. otherwise the efforts will lead to nothing. "