Deployment Of Special Taskforce To Protect Mining Companies

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources

In an effort to combat illegal mining activities, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has taken significant measures to protect large-scale mining companies. To achieve this, a special task force comprising police officers has been deployed to safeguard these companies from invasion by illegal miners. This was as a result of several complaints from mining companies. For some time now, mining companies such as AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi, Newmont Ghana, Golden Star Wassa, Perseus Mining and Gold Fields Ghana in the country have expressed concern over the intrusion on their concessions by some armed thugs believed to be illegal miners.

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has raised similar concerns, with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the chamber, Dr Sulemanu Koney, calling on the government intervention.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the ministry has also engaged the ministries of National Security and Defence. In certain circumstances, the military will be deployed to address illegal mining activities occurring within legal mining concessions.

The primary objective of the special task force is to patrol large-scale mining concessions and prevent illegal miners from encroaching upon these areas. Additionally, the task force will take decisive action against individuals who pose a threat to the operations of these companies.

Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, shared this information during an interview with the Daily Graphic last Wednesday. He further disclosed that a committee, led by George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, has been established to spearhead the protection of legal mining concessions.

These measures demonstrate the government's commitment to curbing illegal mining activities and safeguarding the interests of large-scale mining companies. By deploying a special task force and collaborating with relevant ministries, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources aims to enforce the rule of law and ensure the sustainable and responsible exploitation of mineral resources in the country.