THE Minerals Commission yesterday presented five pick-ups to support the operations of its five regional task forces in dealing with illegal mining in the country.
Formed by the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission in 2011, the regional task forces are currently located in the Central, Greater Accra, Eastern, Western and Ashanti regions.
The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Kwadwo Owusu Agyeman, who made the presentation in Accra, explained that the task forces were formed to check the unwarranted, rampant and haphazard illegal mining activities in the country.
According to him, the task forces were also required to educate the public on the right procedures and processes of acquiring mineral rights through the Minerals Commission.
“They are also obligated to ensure that operators within the legal framework observe standards leading to cautious exploitation of the nation’s minerals, while protecting the environment," he said.
Mr Owusu Agyeman urged the regional coordinators to enforce the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703, among other legislative instruments that were passed.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr Toni Aubynn, who was present at the ceremony, claimed that 30 per cent of mining operations in the country were illegal.
According to him, those involved in illegal mining operations, commonly known as “galamsey”, needed to be brought to justice, as they disobeyed the rules and regulations governing mining.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr Ben Aryee, urged governmental agencies and corporate bodies to help the commission fight the illegal miners.
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