Ministry blocks 77 galamsey sites

He expressed concern over the extent of destruction of water bodies and other natural resources through illegal mining.

“These  illegal mining activities are on some large-scale mining concessions with the active connivance of the concession owners,” he said, adding, “The concession owners were breaching the terms of their licences.“

He warned that punitive measures would  be taken against any concession owner caught collaborating with the illegal miners.

The ministry, he stated, had directed  municipal and district assemblies to form district mining committees (DMCs) as required by Act 703 to manage mining activities in their districts to curb the menace of galamsey activities.

The President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr Dan Owiredu, noted that  in spite of the direct and indirect wealth generated from the mining industry, there was still a growing perception that the wealth generated was often spent far away from the communities and environments that directly experienced the adverse impact of the extractive industries.

“The challenge here is for the industry to demonstrate to host communities that the benefits from mining will be used to implement programmes that will enhance socio-economic development,” he said.

The Chief Executive of the chamber, Dr. Tony Aubynn, said  it was time the country followed the example of the petroleum sector and established a mineral revenue fund “with well defined usage, management systems and accountability”.