The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has hinted it will lift the ban on small scale mining before the close of this year.
According to the Ministry, the process to streamline the operations of the small scale mining sector is in its final stage.
The ministry placed a six months ban on small scale mining in January 2017, following an extensive destruction of water resources and forest reserves.
The six months ended in October 2017, but the ban was extended for another three months which ended in January 2018. Later, it was extended indefinitely.
The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners have expressed their unhappiness about the prolonged ban.
But Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio has disclosed to Citi Business News that plans are far advance to lift the Ban.
He said they will soon begin auditing of small scale mining companies as they conclude processes to lift the ban.
“What is left is auditing of the companies, that is those who already have the mining license, but all the other measures have already been put in place, “he stated.
The minister also disclosed that more consultations are currently ongoing to engage stakeholders especially the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners for the acceptance of a roadmap developed by government to sanitize the industry.
“More consultations are ongoing, even yesterday, the leadership of the association was in the ministry. We engage them on every step, we tell them that this is where we’ve reached and ask for their input.”
According to the Ministry, 1000 illegal miners have already been trained at the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa as part of processes to regularize the activities of the miners.