Ban on Small Scale mining will be lifted before 2018 ends – Ministry

Government will lift the ban on all forms of small scale mining before the close of 2018, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Lawyer Barbara Oteng Gyasi has revealed.

The Akufo-Addo led government in March 2018, for the third time extended the ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining.

Following the widespread devastation of water resources and forest reserves as a result of the activities of illegal mining, government, in January 2017 placed a ban on small scale mining for a period of six months.

But the ban was extended in October 2017, for another three months, which ended in January 2018, with the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu explaining that his outfit had to extend the ban again after small scale miners failed to meet the target set for them to have it reviewed.

The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners has called on government several times to immediately lift the ban on their activities to save its members from further financial crisis.

According to executives of the Association, their members have incurred $551 million over the ban period and the cost could worsen the financial woes of members if the ban continues.

The General Secretary of the Association Godwin Armah has said the ban is an infringement on their rights considering the legal backing which they have to mine.

“The ban on small-scale mining has curtailed the legal rights of our members who held legal titles to mine their concessions because our members went the legal, prescribed procedure to obtain their license to mine.”

Speaking to host Akwasi Nsiah on Si Mi So on Kasapa FM, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi was resolute in her believe that small scale miners will heave a sigh of relief before the year ends as the ban will definitely be lifted.



“We’ve done a great deal of work following the ban on small scale mining and we have our plans and measures in place. I’m confident that before 2018 will end, our recommendations will be presented to President Akufo Addo for him to review it and have the ban lifted.”