Community mining is not galamsey

Hon. George Mireku Duker, the deputy minister in charge of mines, claimed that the government’s community mining program initiative is distinct from the much hated small-scale illegal mining known as galamsey.

According to him, while illegal mining is characterized by reckless and gratuitous dissipation of Ghana’s rich mineral resources, community mining is a well-regulated mining initiative that causes little or no damage to the environment.

Shedding more light on the unique nature of the two, the Hon. George Mireku Duker observed that unlike small-scale mining which is dominated by outsiders acting in collusion with some unpatriotic Ghanaians, a community pattern is the preserve of the communities where the resources are extracted.

“This new type of mining is safe. Community mining is a licensed form of mining, with the government providing technical officers to ensure mining is carried out in accordance with the law, ”he said.

“The Minerals Commission has issued all the documents necessary for mining so that no security personnel harass you. The Minerals Commission will continue to monitor and ensure compliance, ”he added.

The deputy minister made the comment during the inauguration of the community mining program in Jakubo in the central Amansia district of the Ashanti region.

Hon. Mireku Duker explained that community mining is part of the government’s efforts to purge the mining sector of activities that degrade the environment.

He revealed that the government hopes to create 7,000 direct jobs for young people in the region.

He urged the population to obey the regulations put in place by the government and to force the state to revoke their mining license.

The Member of Parliament for Amansie Central, the Hon. Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi paid a vibrant tribute to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for having made his constituency one of the beneficiaries of the device.

He lamented the negative extraction practices that have destroyed the country’s vegetation cover over the years.

He urged community members to contribute their quota to the success of the initiative and warned against violating the laws.