By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Ghana Institute of Geoscientists has called on the government and other stakeholders to immediately stop all small-scale mining activities in water bodies, forest reserves, and biodiversity sensitive areas for the ecosystem to be preserved for generations.
This initiative according to the institute aimed to ensure strategic alignment with best practices and uphold statutes and standards for environmental protection and salvage the remnants- “Ghana is blessed with abundant mineral resources that have been developed and exploited for decades”.
A press release issued in Accra and signed by the General Secretary the Ghana Institute of Geoscientists Professor Prince Ofori Amponsah, in responding to the recent developments regarding water pollution caused by illegal Gold mining activities in some parts of the country noted that, “historically, some mining operations have continued to the point of depletion, leading to mine closures and subsequent reclamations, and near restorations to original setting. These activities are governed by key legal/legislative frameworks such as the Minerals & Mining Law (Act 703 of 2006), environmental permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water usage rights from the Water Resources Commission, protection of the forest by the Forestry Commission and local operating permits from respective jurisdictions”.
The statement states that. “these regulations are designed to promote responsible mining with minimal environmental impact, especially in sensitive areas such as water bodies, forests cover, and biodiversity sensitive zones and protection of surface right holders. Gold remains the primary mineral resource at the center of environmental infractions associated with mining activities. Public concern has risen sharply over the widespread degradation of rivers, streams, and forest reserves”.
According to Professor Prince Ofori Amponsah, the health of vital water bodies is threatened, not due to scarcity, but as a result of an almost irreversible damage, which could take decades to rectify—if at all.
He said, Ghana now stands at a critical juncture, where urgent action is needed to halt further destruction of our water bodies and forests reserves and that, “the Ghana Institute of Geoscientists (GhIG) has observed the continued and alarming destruction of the nation’s forest reserves, rivers and their headwaters which are vital sources of life. Water bodies have been polluted and stripped of their portability, potentiality for large scale treatment for the water supply chain and aquatic life lost”.
The destruction of forest cover has resulted in the loss of rare plant species, some of which may never return due to the complex ecological conditions required for their growth. The above violations are day by day increasing our ground water vulnerabilities which poses dire consequences; denying the right of future generations to determine their own fate. From our desk, current small-scale mining activities deviant from the law can be categorized into three groups: “illegal and irresponsible”, “legal but irresponsible”, and “legal and responsible”. Unfortunately, the dismal degradation challenges facing the country are exacerbated by: 1. A lack of political will to address the issue, further complicated by political interference and influence from high-ranking officials in addition to short-term political gain. 2. The compromise of traditional rulers and local authorities due to financial incentives from mining interests. 3. lack of professional expertise in mining practices, which is a precise science that requires strict adherence to standards to avoid or minimize
In light of these challenges, the GhIG proposed two strategic steps to be taken by the government and across the corridors of power to ensure sustainable and responsible mining practices.
One of these proposals has to do with “all small-scale mining in forest reserves and in rivers, streams and water bodies should be banned forthwith and permanently as prescribed by law. Anyone found mining in these places should be arrested and prosecuted through a fast-track mining and environmental court. All mining equipment found in these areas should be seized and confiscated to the State pool of machinery”.
Secondly, all small-scale mining taking place less than 100 m from rivers, streams and water bodies should be banned forthwith and permanently as prescribed by law. Any mining equipment found in these areas seized and confiscated to the State and any person or group of persons arrested and prosecuted by the state.
They further submitted that, “inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of state institutions such as the Minerals Commission, EPA, Water Resources Commission, and Regional/District Assemblies in enforcing laws and regulations are major causes as well as bribery and corruption which is well widespread within the society including the security services and other state institutions which allow illegal mining activities to continue unchecked.
“Political interference and influences from high-ranking officials. In light of these challenges, the GhIG proposes the following strategic steps to be taken by government and across the corridors of power to ensure sustainable and responsible mining practices: All small-scale mining in forest reserves and in rivers, streams and water bodies should be banned forthwith and permanently as prescribed by law. Anyone found mining in these places should be arrested and prosecuted through a fast-track mining and environmental court. All mining equipment found in these areas should be seized and confiscated to the State pool of machinery. All small-scale mining taking place less than 100 m from rivers, streams and water bodies should be banned forthwith and permanently as prescribed by law” the statement added.