Govt whips errant Chinese miners

Taskforce to be formed to bring serious offenders to book

Illegal mining activities draw government’s wrath

The government has expressed outrage over illegal mining activities carried out by some Chinese nationals in the country. It has also revealed plans to form a taskforce to bring serious offenders to book.

The government’s position was made known by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, when he addressed the media in Accra yesterday. He said the activities of these illegal miners had dire environmental consequences, hence the decision to take drastic measures to address the situation.

The minister said the government would not hesitate to revoke licences of companies found culpable in any form of illegality. He said the government was committed to fighting illegal mining, also known as galamsey, and called on the media to support the efforts by naming and shaming companies engaged in such acts.

Mr Asomah-Cheremeh also disclosed that the government would soon roll out a gold-buying policy that would make it easier for illegal miners to sell their produce to the government at competitive prices. He said the policy would address the marketing challenges often associated with illegal mining.

The minister’s comments come on the back of recent reports of illegal mining activities carried out by some Chinese nationals in the country. These activities have been blamed for the degradation of the environment, particularly water bodies.

The government has been under pressure from civil society groups and the media to take action against illegal mining. The formation of the taskforce is seen as a step in the right direction.