The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Ayisi, has defended the continued issuance of licenses to small-scale miners, despite calls from concerned Ghanaians for the government to halt all forms of small-scale and illegal mining.
Mr. Ayisi made these remarks during his appearance before the Assurances Committee of Parliament, where he addressed the Commission’s role in issuing licenses to small-scale miners, the rise in illegal mining, and the measures being implemented to curb the issue.
He argued that stopping the issuance of licenses would worsen the illegal mining crisis, noting that delays in granting licenses have contributed significantly to the problem. He stated, “When you don’t give them the licenses, what they would do is that they will go and do it illegally,” adding that banning licenses altogether would create more challenges.
Mr. Ayisi highlighted that in 2018, when the government imposed a complete ban on small-scale mining, Ghana recorded its highest-ever small-scale gold production, surpassing South Africa with a 48% contribution.
He explained that obtaining a legal license for small-scale mining involves approvals from several bodies, including the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Forestry Commission. He stressed that failure to secure these licenses amounts to illegal mining.
As a regulatory body, the Commission conducts site inspections and reports illegal activities to the District Assemblies, which then request security interventions from the Regional Security Council to arrest offenders.
Mr. Ayisi emphasized that addressing illegal mining requires significant investment in the Geological Surveys Authority, and he reiterated that no license would be issued for mining in river bodies or forest reserves, as such activities are criminal.
However, the Chairman of the Assurances Committee, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, raised concerns about a reported case involving Akonta Mines Limited, a small-scale mining company allegedly violating the law by damaging the Samraboi concession.
