Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini insists mining in forest reserves are prohibited, and has demanded for investigations into how some individuals and companies acquired licenses to engage in reconnaissance and/or prospecting in these reserves.
He noted that forest reserves are sacred places where one cannot even hunt “so why and how can someone issue out prospecting licenses for possible mining”.
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To him, it is already enough that some communities have suffered pollution as a result of illegal mining activities and vehemently opposes any attempt for anyone to mine in forest reserves.
“An investigation should be conducted to find out how these people got the license to prospect the forest reserves. Mining cannot take place at a place that is specifically reserved under the law. So, forest reserves cannot be a place for mining”, he demanded.
According to him the fight against galamsey has to be an inward and outward approach as the menace has wrecked havoc in the country. “Looking inwardly has to do with government institutions who give out licenses to people to mine and outward has to do with those who willing partake in these mining activities”.
The politician admitted that the fight against galamsey is not a small task because “there are “big-men” involved so one needs support from the President to fight the menace. Although these allegations are sometimes hearsay, it can push the government to investigate them”.
He added, “We can’t have impunity in the system. I know people in the Forestry Commission who are complicit in giving permits for people to go and mine. If we’re going to fight the canker, we must do so with all the options available”.
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Following the recent National Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has directed all persons and companies engaged in reconnaissance and/or prospecting in Forest Reserves, with or without legal authorization, to suspend such activities until further notice.
In addition to that the Minerals Commission, with immediate effect, is not to accept, process and/or recommend the grant, including renewal and/or extension of reconnaissance and prospecting licences in Forest Reserves.
Persons and/or companies engaged in reconnaissance and/or prospecting in Forest Reserves, have been given seven (7) days to cease their operations and evacuate their equipment accordingly.
By: Joel Sanco