INDIANS, CHINESE BEHIND ILLICIT GOLD MINING IN GHANA-MINISTER

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About two-point-three billion Dollars worth of gold extracted through illegal means was exported from Ghana last year, with the proceeds remaining in foreign economies at the expense of this country. 

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, who disclosed this at Obuasi said also that Indians and Chinese are the major expatriate financiers of the illegal mining activities with prominent Ghanaians, including politicians and traditional leaders, fronting for them.

 Mr. Amewu was responding to questions by Journalists after touring the Obuasi Mine of Anglogold Ashanti. 

The Minister expressed serious concern about the flourishing illegal gold mining activities popularly known as ‘galamsey’, saying that about 12 thousand of such operators have invaded the concession of Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine. 

Mr. Amewu stressed the extensive destruction these operators are causing the environment especially water bodies and arable lands. 

The Minister noted that government has begun talks with the Chinese Ambassador on how to arrest the problem, for which the High Commissioner has also shown commitment to finding a solution. 

On government’s plans for the sector, Mr. Amewu disclosed that plans are underway to create ‘Medium Scale Mining’ to serve as a link between Small Scale and Large Scale Mining to cater for the interest of all interest groups within the mining sector.

 As part of this plan, the Minister said government in partnership with the private sector, will establish a Plant Pool where small and medium scale miners will hire equipment at reasonable cost for their operations.

Mr. Amewu noted that government will not allow anybody to ride on the back of party politics to perpetrate illegal mining at the expense of the environment.
                                               

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