Government has pledged to regulate the emerging mining sector in the northern part of the country.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor who announced this said it will to be done with a proactive approach.
The Northern Sector has lately become very buoyant with mining activities with both small and large scale operations.
Cardinal Resources is currently undertaking preparatory works towards establishing one of the biggest mining operations in Talensi, at the heart of the Upper East Region, while Earl International Gold (GH) Ltd has obtained the necessary permits to commence large scale underground rock mining in the same region. Exploitation of Iron Ore in Sheini, in the Northern Region, significant deposits of gold in Dollar Power, a border town in the Savannah Region and illegal small scale mining activities in Nagroma in the North East Region are some of the emerging issues in the sector.
Mr Abu Jinapor indicated that government is determined to ensure enhanced regulation of this sector in the north.
The Minister gave this assurance in the Upper East region as part of his one week tour of the five regions of north.
Speaking at a meeting with small scale miners association in Bolgatanga, Mr. Jinapor said, “ Mining activities have become rampant in the north.
The conventional wisdom was that, mineral deposits were only found in the south, but as we can see now there are significant proven resources in the north as well. If we don’t begin enhanced regulation at the very beginning, we will lose the opportunity. The lessons of the mining industry in southern Ghana ought to guide our actions in the north and government will not relent to ensure enhanced regulation. River-bodies and the integrity of the ecosystem in this part of the country must at all cost be preserved”.
He stressed that, the institutional, legal and operational framework for the sector should be fit for purpose and capable of dealing with all emerging challenges.
