GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi has defended the government’s approach to formalising unlicensed small-scale mining, arguing that operators working outside forest reserves, water bodies and other environmentally sensitive areas can be brought into the formal mining sector.
His clarification follows criticism over comments suggesting that unlicensed miners operating outside protected areas could be formalised rather than pursued by security personnel.
In a response to the controversy, Mr Gyamfi maintained that formalisation offers a more effective way of addressing illegal mining, provided operators meet the necessary environmental and regulatory requirements.
He stressed, however, that mining activities that pollute water bodies, destroy forest reserves or take place in dangerous locations within communities cannot be tolerated.
He cited operations along roadsides, on school lands and in bedrooms as examples of mining activities that pose unacceptable risks to public safety and the environment.
According to him, artisanal and small-scale miners operating outside these prohibited areas may qualify for formalisation under the government’s Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).
The programme is designed to transform eligible unlicensed operators into licensed and responsible miners through the provision of legal documentation, permits, certifications and the necessary training.
Mr Gyamfi also rejected the circulation of what he described as an edited version of his earlier remarks, arguing that the video omitted important details about the government’s plans to support eligible miners.
He said formalisation, training and financing support remain central to efforts to promote responsible mining, strengthen environmental protection and improve traceability in the small-scale mining industry.
He reiterated that the objective is to bring eligible operators into the regulated sector while ensuring that environmentally destructive mining activities are addressed.
Story by: Andre Mustapha Nii Okai Inusah
Popularly Known As: Attractive Mustapha
Email: attractivemustapha@gmail.com
Contact Number 0244259564
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