Ghana discusses new mining regulations
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Minerals Commission has organized a two-day sensitization workshop on the new mineral and mining regulations for relevant stakeholders in Tarkwa.
Addressing participants on Wednesday during the opening of the workshop , Mr Ben Aryee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, said Ghana’s mineral laws have now evolved, from PNDC law 153 and the Mineral and Mining Act, 2006 to Act 703 which was passed in June, 2012.
He said the regulation, which was passed after several consultations and deliberations with many stakeholders, traditional rulers, regulatory bodies, Chamber of Mines and Chiefs, would address many of the issues and challenges that have been plaguing the mining industry.
The CEO of Minerals Commission said the sensitization workshop, which would be held nationwide, is aimed at ensuring that every Ghanaian played an active role in its enforcement as well as strengthen collaboration between stakeholders and the regulators in the mining industry.
Mr Aryee said with this new regulation mining would be done in an environmentally friendly manner and traditional authorities and the entire public would also be empowered to participate in decision- making process.
He said with effective enforcement of the right legal and regulatory framework, the mining sector would take a centre stage in the development of skills, spawning of industries and generating revenues necessary to catalyze development.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Western regional Minister, Mr Paul Evan Aidoo, said the new legal document had come at the right time to bind everybody in this country and regulate the activities of those engaged in mining and its related actives.
He said though the actions of some people have left in their trail degraded forests, major environmental damage, pollution of rivers and water bodies and mass movement of people with its attendant social consequences, the new regulations will address these challenges.
The Western Regional Minister said chiefs and land owners must follow the laid down procedures in the location of land for mining purpose so that mining activities are not conducted at inappropriate places to endanger their lives from the effects of mining activities.
Mr Aidoo warned those responsible for the approval of mining concessions not to forget that they are required to protect the interests of the ordinary citizens living in the district from the harmful effect
Source: GNA