Source: newsthemegh.com
The Ghana Geological Survey is receiving funding from the government to conduct more geological operations in order to close off small-scale mining regions throughout the nation.
At a two-day transformative discourse on small scale mining hosted by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, revealed this.
The Minister claims that this is done to support small-scale mining.
He declared, “We are providing resources to the Ghana Geological Survey to expand geological activities to block out small-scale mining regions. We are taking these steps to make sure that small-scale mining is ethical and sustainable.
The Minister also revealed that the government is implementing tough steps to deal with those who engage in illegal mining, or “galamsey,” as it is commonly known.
“We are strengthening the law enforcement regime by increasing the punishment for convicted persons engaged in illegal mining,” he cautioned those who had sworn to disregard all harsh measures and carry on with the illegalities.
For his part, Professor Elvis Asare Bediako, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, emphasized the importance of the artisanal subsector in alleviating poverty.
“Over 100 million individuals receive a living through the artisanal sub-sector alone. Many rural residents might escape poverty thanks to the artisanal subsector, he said.