Mining companies urged to comply with mining laws

Mr Alhasan Atta-Quayson, Senior Lecturer, University of Education, Winneba, has urged all mining companies to adhere rigorously to mining regulations.He said the challenges faced by Ghana concerning mining activities were due to the lack of implementing rules and regulations involved in the mining industry.He said although there were established institutions such as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Forestry Commission and Environmental Protection Agency, enforcement of the law was partially enforced.Mr Atta-Quayson said this at a meeting dialogue and report validation on Tuesday, in Accra. It was on the theme: 'Status Of Domestication Of African Mining Vision In Ghana's Artisanal And Small-Scale Mining Sub-Sector.He said the existing policy documents, including the 2024 Minerals and Mining Policy, 2015 Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM), and 2017 Multi-sectoral Mining Integrated Project, reflect the aspirations of the AMV, however, implementing these policies has been chal lenging due to the insufficient commitment from the government.He recommended policy and regulatory frameworks which must be adopted by the Minerals Commission to lead in implementing policies by reviewing regulatory regimes and considering current and emerging issues to enforce the laws.He said the government, especially the Presidency, must take steps to bolster the relevant institutions that regulate and govern ASM activities, adding that, the capacities of the district offices of the Mineral Commission should be strengthened to enable them to fulfil their mandates effectively.The Senior Lecturer called on all stakeholders and small-scale miners to make it a priority to adhere to laws in the mining sector.During a panel discussion, stakeholders agreed that the mining sector had been the highest gross foreign exchange earner from 1999 to date, therefore, it was crucial to protect and improve mining regulations in the country.It creates employment opportunities for citizens and inves tors, which generates revenue for the economy.They called on miners to attain legal licensing from governments before undertaking any form of mining and added that the licensing regime for ASM should be re-categorized as indicated by the Minerals and Mining Policy (MMIP).Panelist's encouraged the protection of the environment by considering review existing legal instruments that deal with environmental protection in the mining sector as applicable to ASM to ensure they are aligned with current best practices.'These actions can help address the environmental consequences of ASM activities, promote sustainable mining practices, and support the long-term development of Ghana's mining sector operators'.Stakeholders called on key players to join forces to ensure the enforcement of mining laws for environmental sustainability.Source: Ghana News Agency