The fight against illegal mining is being taken to another level as illegal miners, otherwise called galamseyers, will soon have no reason to operate illegally.
The government is rolling out a new policy framework which would ensure all those engaged in small-scale illegal mining receive the needed training and licensing.
An inter-ministerial committee which was set up to fight the menace played a vital role in the development of the policy document.
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Speaking to Joy News’ Roland Walker Friday prior to the launch of the policy at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, noted that the government intends to rid the mining space of all illegal activities.
We want to ask people to come into a better space…those doing small-scale mining without concession and licensing have the opportunity to get into community mining and get a license,” he said.
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He added that those who are engaged in galamsey because they did not know what is right also have the opportunity to be trained and practise decent mining.
Challenges
The joint military and police team tagged Operation Vanguard consistently complaining that the persons they apprehend engaging in galamsey are not taken through the criminal justice system fast enough.
Meanwhile, some residents have also accused members of the task force of corruption.
The residents say the Operation Vanguard members extort monies from miners.
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Attacks on Operation Vanguard
Just Thursday, some Chinese galamseyers attacked members of the force in the Ashanti region.
“These Chinese nationals were caught mining just at the outskirts of Manso Aponapon of the Amansie South District in the Ashanti Region,” Joy News’ Eratus Asare Donkor reported.
“…we were attacked with stones which forced the task force personnel to fire warning shots before taking the suspects away,” Deputy Commander of the Small-Scale Anti-illegal Mining taskforce, Patrick Don Chebe explained.