New Patrotic Party communications team member, Atchulo Abdul Baki has argued that mining without a valid licence is illegal regardless of whether the activity takes place in water bodies, forest reserves or other locations.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on The Verdict on Starr FM, Mr Baki said Ghana’s mining laws require small-scale miners to obtain the necessary licence before engaging in mining, insisting that the location of an operation does not exempt it from that legal requirement.
He cited Section 82(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, which states that a person shall not undertake a small-scale mining operation unless a licence has been granted for the operation by the Minister responsible for mines.
“If you are mining without a licence, that is illegal mining. It doesn’t matter the location,” he said.
Mr Baki questioned comments attributed to Sammi Gyenfi suggesting that miners could operate if their activities were not taking place in water bodies or forest reserves, arguing that such an approach would contradict the legal framework governing small-scale mining.
He maintained that the registration or formalisation of mining activities must be carried out in accordance with the law and should not be used to justify mining without the required authorisation.
According to him, government officials and public officeholders must ensure that any initiative introduced to regulate the mining sector complies with existing laws.
He added that the legal requirement for a mining licence applies regardless of who occupies a government position, stressing that policies introduced by public officials must remain within the boundaries of the law.
Story By Pamela Quayson
