Small scale mining is 'law and order' problem

Obuasi, Oct. 09, GNA - Miss Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, has observed that small scale mining operations on concessions of mining companies was not a problem to the Chamber but bothers on the maintenance of law and order in the country. She said "Small scale mining is not a problem for the Chamber it is law and order problem for the country."

Miss Aryee made the observation when speaking to the press at Obuasi on the Chamber's view on small scale mining operations. She said small scale miners should be seen as trespassing on unauthorised area since a lease was given out to specific people and they had the right to operate on it.

The Chief Executive Officer said small scale mining operations at Obuasi was serious and anybody arrested should be seen as a law breaker. Miss Aryee regretted that some people assisted in the promotion of wrong-doing in the country and re-stated that small scale mining was not an activity which people should encourage.

She said Government recognised small-scale mining as an economic activity which needed to be promoted and advised that when small scale miners wanted to mine, they should follow the due process. Miss Aryee said small scale mining operations on the concession of Obuasi Mine was not the best therefore; they should sought for permission to engage in small scale mining.

"As a Chamber, we are part of the advocacy group for institutions to promote and support small-scale mining," Miss Aryee added.