Members of the Responsible Small-Scale Miners Association in the Ashanti Region have announced a 60-day campaign aimed at eliminating illegal mining activities otherwise known as galamsey along river bodies and forest reserves to protect the environment.

This initiative seeks to address growing concerns over the pollution caused by unauthorised miners, who have tarnished the reputation of legitimate small-scale operations.

During a press conference in Kumasi on September 15, the Association’s leadership expressed their commitment to cracking down on galamsey, to improve water quality.

National President Philip Adjamjobe Bawa assured Ghanaians, “From here, we are going after them [illegal miners] vigorously, and within 60 days, they should see improvements in water turbidity.” 

He reaffirmed the Association’s dedication to supporting government efforts to regularize mining activities in Ghana.

The leadership of the licensed miners opposed calls for a blanket ban on all mining activities, stating that such a demand is both unnecessary and a misinterpretation of Ghana’s mining laws. This response comes amid pressure from various Civil Society groups and prominent Ghanaians advocating for a total ban to address the escalating issue of illegal mining.

Mr. Adjamjobe Bawa criticised the calls for a ban on responsible mining as insensitive to the livelihoods of the approximately six million Ghanaians reliant on the small-scale mining sector. “We support the government’s initiative to combat illegal mining, but it’s misguided to include legally responsible mining in this freeze.

 What we are witnessing now is just blame-shifting,” he stated.

He emphasised that mining within 100 meters away from river bodies, particularly in rivers, is illegal and called on law enforcement agencies to take action against violators.

In response to the rising concerns, government has established a five-member Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah, to engage stakeholders in efforts to combat illegal mining.

Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Mr George Mireku Duker reassured that the government would not impose a ban on responsible small-scale mining. 

He affirmed that licensed miners would be allowed to continue their operations as long as they comply with regulations.

 “We will not collapse the businesses of responsible miners; instead, we will explore better ways to support their work,” he stated during an appearance on Accra-based UTV.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr Martin Kwaku Ayisi, also rejected calls for a ban on small-scale mining, warning that it would adversely affect gold production, which is vital for the economy. 

He emphasised the need to focus on regulating unlicensed mining rather than punishing those operating legally. 

“The discussion should centre on illegal mining—those without authorisation to operate—rather than imposing a blanket ban on licensed small-scale mining,” he remarked on Accra-based Joy FM, September 7.