Government halts mining in forest reserves, soldiers to burn galamsey equipments

Government halts mining in forest reserves, soldiers to burn galamsey equipments

Government has agreed to repeal the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I.
2462) as part of new measures in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey (collection and sale).


President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed that necessary steps be taken to repeal the L.I.
Act.
Work is expected to commence when Parliament reconvenes in October.
There have been calls from the public for government to take firm action against illegal mining, with trade unions announcing a nationwide strike to commence on Thursday, October 10.
President Akufo-Addo also ordered intensified enforcement measures following calls by trade unions and other stakeholders for the government to address the menace of illegal small-scale mining in the country.
This means that those currently mining in prohibited areas, especially those mining in water bodies and forest reserves, must stop.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapour told Graphic Online that the military will be deployed to demobilize the entire equipment of illegal miners.


The minister said demobilization of equipment means that the military must destroy all machinery used for illegal mining.
This means that “water bodies and forest reserves remain red zones for mining and all forms of mining in water bodies, as well as prospecting, exploration, exploration and/or small-scale mining in forest reserves, remain prohibited.
” The statement, dated October 7, 2024, signed and released by the Minister of Information, Dr.
Fatimatu Abubakar on Monday night, said the country was fully mandated to “eliminate all forms of mining from our water bodies and forest reserves” and read: “Presidential directive.

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