Minority to summon Lands Minister over claims of mining before licence approval

The Minority in Parliament has requested to summon the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to Parliament to clarify reports about the possibility of small-scale miners beginning operations without licenses and obtaining authorization afterwards. This concern stems from statements attributed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, who reportedly suggested that miners could work without licenses and regularize their activities subsequently.

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, made this proposal during a Leaders' Media Briefing on Tuesday, 3 November. He emphasized that the government must clarify whether miners can legally operate before acquiring the necessary authorization. The Minority is particularly worried about reports indicating that the Gold Board CEO had suggested miners could start working without licenses and later regularize their activities.

Afenyo-Markin reminded that the country's mining legislation, Act 703, clearly states that operators must obtain licenses before engaging in mining activities, and there are no exceptions to this requirement. He warned that permitting mining activities before securing licenses could undermine regulatory enforcement and allow unauthorized operations to persist.

Afenyo-Markin also expressed concern over the worsening situation of illegal mining under the current administration, stating that it has become more rampant since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came to power. He reiterated that the reported stance by the Gold Board CEO necessitates a clear government explanation of its policy on formalizing small-scale mining, ensuring that the registration and regularization process does not imply permission to operate outside the existing legal framework.

The Minority plans to pursue this matter through Parliament, insisting that the Lands Minister must account for the government's position and explain how it aligns with the relevant mining laws. The Minority Leader also called for a national united response to illegal mining, stressing that environmental protection should not be a partisan issue.