Deploy mining engineers to every district to strengthen mining regulation – Ayariga

Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has urged the deployment of mining engineers to every district in Ghana to enhance the monitoring and regulation of small-scale and artisanal mining activities. Addressing Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, Ayariga emphasized the need to bolster the technical capabilities of institutions responsible for regulating the mining sector at the local level.

He suggested that the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should be equipped with sufficient resources and skilled personnel to function effectively within mining districts.

According to Ayariga, having mining engineers stationed in each district would facilitate the identification of mining sites and the oversight of operators, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. This approach would enable authorities to pinpoint every location where mining occurs, thereby safeguarding the environment by adhering to pertinent environmental laws. He argued that localized monitoring would facilitate the government in differentiating between legitimate mining operations and illicit activities.

Ayariga also proposed a system to incentivize small-scale miners to engage in legal mining practices, noting that many aspiring miners encounter substantial obstacles in obtaining the necessary permits. The perceived difficulty in securing permits often leads to illegal mining operations, where miners may lack the motivation to invest in necessary equipment or environmentally friendly practices.

He stressed the importance of strict environmental protection, specifically advocating against mining in water bodies or areas that displace existing farmers and destroy productive agricultural land.

Ayariga urged a balanced approach to mining, moving away from prohibitionist measures towards a more regulated and economically beneficial framework. He contended that Ghana could harness the economic potential of small-scale mining, provided it is strictly regulated and conducted responsibly.