Stop Burning Our Equipment - Small-Scale Miners To Government
The Small Scale Miners Association has bemoaned the burning of the mining equipment of its members and as part of recent efforts against illegal mining, 200 military personnel were deployed to flush out the illegal miners destroying the water bodies in the country. Briefing the media on the progress of the operation on the April 30,
the 2021, the Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul also disclosed that the troop also destroyed a good deal of equipment including nine 9 excavators, and also 127 changfans. But the Communications Director for the association, Abdul Razak Alhassan laments that some licensed small-scale miners have been affected by the
military operation. Addressing media at Ntaferewaso in the Twifo-Atti Morkwa District of the Central Region he said “as far as we all know, the military was deployed to specific river bodies, but we are now seeing a situation where they veer into communities with licensed small-scale miners and end up burning their equipment. Some
of the communities are Asamoakorom and Awusem, both in Twifo Praso District of the Central Region. This, according to them is a stab in the back as there was no mention of the military operations affecting them at the Stakeholder Dialogue on Small Scale Mining which took place from April 14 to 15, 2021. We need clarifications
on the President’s directive to the military and we do not understand why the government made a u-turn on the issues that were raised at the meeting held at the Accra International Conference Centre. We never discussed anything about involving the military in clearing people operating with legally acquired licences. He also wants the government to liaise with the Minerals Commission
to clearly map out all areas that are authorised for small scale mining, so they do not fall victim to all the military operations. The association also warned of a three-day nationwide demonstration if all their concerns are not addressed within 7 days. We are giving the government 7 days to to address these concerns. If nothing is heard from them, we will embark on a three 3 day nationwide demonstration.