Small-Scale Gold Miners Asked To Obtain Licence

Accra, (Greater Accra) 4 Nov., Mr. Fred Ohene-Kena, Minister of Mines and Energy, today asked small-scale gold winners to obtain prospecting licence from the Minerals Commission to regularize their work. Mr. Ohene-Kena told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra that this will enable the ministry to monitor and supervise their activities so as to reduce the dangers and risks that they face. The minister said it is disheartening to see that accidents which should not result in deaths have been taking their lives. These accidents, he said, could easily have been prevented if they had registered with the Minerals Commission which would ensure that safety measures were put in place to protect life and property. Mr. Ohene-Kena said the ministry is determined to eliminate the activities of all ''Galamsey'' operators because the gold mining industry is a big source of revenue for the country. However, the ministry would encourage small-scale mining as it offers employment and revenue to government. Mr. Ohene-Kena said that is the reason why the government is asking them to register with the Minerals Commission ''so that we can keep proper surveillance over their work as well as offer them the necessary technical assistance.'' ''We want them to mine properly and stop the haphazard prospecting anywhere". Mr. Ohene-Kena said after they had registered with the commission the ministry would advise them on how to maintain good environmental standards by demarcating areas where they should prospect for the gold. He said the ministry would organise seminars for small-scale miners to teach them modern ways of gold prospecting.