Galamsey menace: Minerals Commission blames lack of legal mining sites

The Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, has highlighted the shortage of legal mining sites as the leading factor driving illegal mining, known as "galamsey," in Ghana. 

Speaking to Parliament’s Government Assurances Committee, Ayisi presented a range of proposed solutions to address the issue, including re-issuing revoked mining licenses and redistributing land previously explored. 

These steps, he noted, are essential for controlling illegal mining and safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians.

Ayisi emphasized that the lack of legal mining opportunities is at the heart of the galamsey problem stressing that no strategy to combat illegal mining will succeed without resolving this key issue. 

One of the key strategies involves encouraging large-scale mining companies, such as AngloGold, Newmont, and Goldfields, to release sections of their concessions for use by small-scale miners. 

Another measure is the re-issuing of licenses that were canceled due to non-compliance. Additionally, land that has been explored but is no longer in use by mining companies could be opened up to smaller operators. Ayisi also suggested that some large-scale companies may voluntarily relinquish parts of their land to support the effort.

He further discussed the socio-economic implications of galamsey, which directly impacts around three million people across 13 regions of the country. 

He explained that small-scale mining supports a broad network of people, including miners, transporters, and vendors. When illegal mining sites are shut down, the ripple effect is felt across entire communities, leaving many without a source of income.