The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has directed all sand and stone winners operating without permits to regularise their activities immediately with the Minerals Commission or risk a nationwide crackdown.

According to Mahmud Kabore, spokesperson for the Minister of Lands, sand-winning and stone quarrying fall under the mandate of the Minerals Commission because they are forms of mining.

He stressed that individuals or groups operating without the required licences are engaging in illegal mining, just like galamsey.

Speaking on Accra FM’s Ghana Yensom morning show, Kabore said the ministry has identified growing illegalities within the sand-winning sector, describing the situation as critical and requiring urgent attention.

“It is purely the job of the Minerals Commission because sand-winning and stone quarrying are all forms of mining,” he explained.

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“Some operators do not have papers to mine, and that is illegal mining,” he added.

He revealed that a monitoring team has already been deployed to inspect activities across the country, adding that some individuals are extracting sand without permits and even operating in water bodies.

Kabore noted that the issue of illegal sand-winning came up strongly at the ministry’s retreat held in Elembelle, where directors suggested approaches similar to the fight against galamsey.

He warned that if not addressed swiftly, illegal sand-winning could become as problematic as galamsey.

“After galamsey, the next critical issue is illegal sand-winning and the illegalities happening in that sector. If we don’t streamline it early, it can grow into something bigger,” he cautioned.

He stressed that obtaining a licence is not complicated, describing the process as similar to acquiring a small-scale mining permit.

“The process is not cumbersome. Just go and take the licence so you can follow the guidelines and regulations,” he advised.

The ministry, he said, has mapped out illegal hotspots and plans to take decisive enforcement action.

He cautioned that authorities would not publicly announce their operations beforehand.

“We won’t broadcast it. We will surprise them...Those doing illegal winning should stop now or go for their licence,” Kabore said.

Kabore emphasised that failure to comply with regulations will attract sanctions in the next phase of enforcement, as the government works to protect the environment and restore order in the sector.

He assured the public that the ministry will soon announce a clear way forward to address the situation and prevent further illegal activities.

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