The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has strongly denied allegations that the government has approved an excessive number of mining licenses. The claims, which suggested that over 1,400 licenses have been issued since late 2022, were dismissed by Mr. Jinapor during an interview on Citi FM.
“First of all, that is false. I can give you the data,” Mr. Jinapor stated, addressing the concerns. He clarified that far from issuing too many licenses, he has often been criticized for not approving enough to meet the demands of the industry.
The minister explained that the process of securing a mining license is rigorous, involving numerous checks to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. “To approve one small-scale mining application, the minister has to secure six signatures,” he noted, describing the system as “cumbersome.”
Acknowledging criticism from the industry over the slow pace of approvals, Mr. Jinapor said, “That has been my biggest headache.” He admitted that delays in the process have hindered the growth of the small-scale mining sector, but stressed that thorough oversight was necessary to maintain order and prevent abuses within the industry.
The minister also addressed concerns about illegal mining, or galamsey, underscoring that granting licenses does not automatically imply illegal activities. “Even if a license is given, if the regulatory agency doesn’t monitor how the mining is done, it can still lead to galamsey,” he explained.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized that formalizing the mining sector through proper licensing is critical to regulating activities and ensuring they operate within the law. He highlighted the importance of monitoring legal mining operations to ensure that environmental damage is mitigated, adding that companies are required to restore any damage caused during their operations.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combatting illegal mining, particularly in protected areas like forest reserves, and called for increased collaboration between stakeholders to ensure sustainable mining practices. “We need everyone’s support,” he said, advocating for ongoing dialogue between civil society groups, industry players, and the government.
Mr. Jinapor concluded by reiterating the government’s dedication to responsibly managing Ghana’s mineral resources while promoting lawful mining activities within a regulated framework.
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