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Mr John Afful, Communication Director in charge of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (RCOMSDEP), has stressed that all mining activities in Ghana must strictly follow laid-down procedures before operations can begin.
Speaking on Channel 247 Newzroom in an interview with host Awuraabena Boateng, Mr Afful explained that mining starts with reconnaissance, where experts assess the land to determine the presence of minerals before any form of extraction is considered.
He noted that licensed geologists are required to visit prospective sites, take samples and subject them to laboratory testing before moving to the prospecting stage, which involves further sampling and analysis prior to drilling.
According to him, many illegal miners bypass these critical steps and commence mining without acquiring the necessary licenses, a situation that has contributed significantly to environmental degradation across the country.
Mr Afful recalled that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources previously revoked about 276 mining licenses as part of efforts to sanitise the sector, adding that nearly 50 large-scale mining licenses are currently under review and could also be revoked if found non-compliant.
He further stated that the current administration is determined to clean up challenges inherited from previous governments, including the uncontrolled importation of excavators used for illegal mining.
Mr Afful revealed that under the new regime, all excavators entering the country must be registered and declared for their intended use, unlike in the past when over 2,000 excavators reportedly entered Ghana without proper records.
He assured Ghanaians that the licensing process is not meant to be punitive but to ensure responsible mining, noting that Minerals Commission offices across regions and districts are actively involved in guiding prospective miners through the required procedures.
Mr Afful reaffirmed government’s commitment to delivering on its promise to regulate the mining sector effectively and ensure that mineral resources are exploited responsibly for national development.
