The Minerals Commission has opposed the suspension of mining license issuance as a strategy to combat illegal mining, arguing that delays in processing licenses actually exacerbate the problem.
According to the Commission, such delays push individuals towards illegal mining activities, which cause significant damage to waterbodies and forest reserves.
During a session with the Government Assurance Committee of Parliament on Monday, October 7, the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, explained that while addressing illegal mining is critical, stalling the issuance of licenses for legitimate miners inadvertently creates a vacuum that illegal operators exploit.
“When my minister took office in 2021, the first thing he told me was, Martin, the delay in issuing licenses, it is what is creating the problem. So cut the delays. So what did we do? We went online. So what would have taken a year, even a week or two, they upload, we do the inspection, and then they got on with it.
“When you don’t give them the license, what they will do is, they will go and do it [mine] illegally. I will not sit here and say, even those who have licenses, everything is perfect.”
The CEO also raised concerns over recent calls for a total ban on small-scale mining in Ghana, stating that it would be improper to do so.
“When you say ban small-scale mining, in my understanding, it means that don’t allow anybody to do it lawfully. I understand the situation and the anger of Ghanaians but the people who have sunk a borehole will be punished because folks along the Pra, Birim, and co are misbehaving.
“These are the issues that we are facing and so I advised the government and told my minister that it will not be proper to have a wholesale ban.”
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