Amewu must reconsider extension of 'totally unfair' ban on small scale mining

Former Lands and Natural Resources Minister under the erstwhile the Mahama-led administration, Inusah Fuseini has kicked against the extension of the ban on small-scale mining.

The ranking member on the Constitutional and Legal Affairs committee in Parliament said the first ban by the minister was laudable because it was meant to sanitize and clean the small-scale mining sector.

However, I am kicking against the extension since the extension will adversely affect licensed small-scale miners who have gone for loans and hired heavy equipment for their work. The minister should understand those who are legal and illegal.

He should also seek help from the registered or licensed miners in ensuring sanity in the sector. Government some few weeks ago extended the ban on scale mining by three months.

Mr. Inusah Fuseini further described the extension as ‘’totally unfair’’ and has asked the minister to reconsider the extension because it is unfair for those who have gone through the process of acquiring a license, he stressed.

The Lands and Natural resources, John Peter Amewu, who made the announcement said the ban is expected to be lifted by January 2018.

“There is an extension for three months, and the Association has been informed. The people we are dealing with are aware. The ban has been extended. This was supposed to end somewhere in October,” he added.

The government earlier in 2017 imposed a six-month ban on small-scale mining as part of efforts to end illegal mining and its related activities, which adversely affected the environment, particularly water bodies and forest reserves.

Speaking to Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, the legislator said some individuals have also abused the laws and they are being treated the same as those who have registered and that is an illegality.