Ghana’s gold production from artisanal and small-scale mining hit 1.4 million ounces, last year.

The figure represented 34 per cent of the country’s total gold production for the period.

Nii Osah Mills, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, however, said notwithstanding the significant contribution the sector was making to the economy, there was a downside.

These include widespread environmental degradation- the destruction of the vegetation, farms and pollution of water bodies.

Consequently, Nii Osah Mills said their operations would be properly regulated to help maintain safety standards.

In line with this, he inaugurated a six-member committee set up in the Atwima-Mponua District not only to check illegal mining but to see to it that licensed small-scale miners conformed to best practices by operating strictly within the regulations.

It also has the responsibility of ensuring that lands are reclaimed, to restore the vegetative cover.

The Minister emphasised that the destruction could not be allowed to continue and no effort would be spared to make sure that the right things were done.

Mr Stephen Yeboah, the District Chief Executive (DCE), is chairman of the committee, with Mr Awiah Mensah of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Clemence Adzormahe, Minerals’ Commission, Nana Kofi Asem, representing the traditional authority, Mr Lawrence Ada of the Minerals Inspectorate Division and Mr Kwaku Twumasi of the district assembly as the other members.

The Minister urged them to work with zeal, make field trips to acquaint themselves with the situation on the ground, to assess health risks and other dangers, including pits left uncovered and take appropriate measures to deal with them.

They should liaise with the chiefs, law enforcement agencies, the regional coordinating council, national security sub-committee on lands and natural resources, the inter-ministerial task force and other stakeholders to bring down illegal mining activities in the area, he said.

He encouraged the people in the district to accept to stand together to protect the environment.

Mr Yeboah pledged they would not disappoint and they would do everything to rein in the illegal loggers and miners.