Mining Regulations To Be Amended - Minister

Kumasi,(Ashanti Region) 13 Oct. - The Country's Mining Concession Regulation is to be amended to check the practice of those who acquire minerals prospecting licence only to speculate and wait to sell them exorbitantly to expatriates. Mr. Fred Ohene-Kena, Minister of Mines and Energy, who announced this, said the amendment would ensure that no one holding a reconnaissance or prospecting licence transfers it to anybody for the first two years of acquisition. He was speaking to newsmen after a familiarisation tour of institutions under his Ministry in Kumasi. The Minister explained that transfers could only be effected with permission from the Ministry under special circumstances adding that the government must be satisfied that all that are required to be done within the two years are completed. Mr. Ohene-Kena said the Ministry would also enforce the existing regulation that those with minerals prospecting licence submit reports about their activities every three months. He pointed out that minerals belong to the state and that no individual would be given the chance to explore them to the disadvantage of the nation. The Minister noted that within the last few years about 200 people have been granted licence to prospect for minerals. While a number of them have succeeded in producing particularly gold, others have done virtually nothing. Earlier, Mr. Ohene-Kena, called on Mining Inspectors in the region to intensify their routine visits to ensure compliance with laid-down safety procedures. He told them not to limit their activities to the bigger mines but should adequately cover the smaller ones as well.

Kumasi,(Ashanti Region) 13 Oct. - The Country's Mining Concession Regulation is to be amended to check the practice of those who acquire minerals prospecting licence only to speculate and wait to sell them exorbitantly to expatriates. Mr. Fred Ohene-Kena, Minister of Mines and Energy, who announced this, said the amendment would ensure that no one holding a reconnaissance or prospecting licence transfers it to anybody for the first two years of acquisition. He was speaking to newsmen after a familiarisation tour of institutions under his Ministry in Kumasi. The Minister explained that transfers could only be effected with permission from the Ministry under special circumstances adding that the government must be satisfied that all that are required to be done within the two years are completed. Mr. Ohene-Kena said the Ministry would also enforce the existing regulation that those with minerals prospecting licence submit reports about their activities every three months. He pointed out that minerals belong to the state and that no individual would be given the chance to explore them to the disadvantage of the nation. The Minister noted that within the last few years about 200 people have been granted licence to prospect for minerals. While a number of them have succeeded in producing particularly gold, others have done virtually nothing. Earlier, Mr. Ohene-Kena, called on Mining Inspectors in the region to intensify their routine visits to ensure compliance with laid-down safety procedures. He told them not to limit their activities to the bigger mines but should adequately cover the smaller ones as well.