We Have Packed Out Of Our Concessions To Avoid Harassment - Small Scale Miners

The Concerned Small Scale Miners Association says its members have packed out of their concessions to avoid harassment by military personnel under government’s ‘Operation Halt’ exercise. The Association has raised concerns about the government’s approach in the fight against the illegal mining, claiming that the destruction

of mining equipment has affected some of its members who are duly licensed to operate. National President of the Association, Kwadwo Peprah, indicated in interview that ‘Operation Halt’ may affect innocent legal miners, for which reason they have all also decided to pack out temporarily. As a matter of fact, all small scale miners

have packed out because per the order of the Minister, he said the military has been given the mandate to clear all persons mining in the forest reserves and the people also working on the various water bodies. As we speak, there is no technocrat among the military to ascertain whether you have your license or not. In order not to fall

victim to whatever is happening, we have all decided to pack out and see whatever action we can all take. The government has already justified the burning of seized excavators used for illegal mining in some parts of the country, despite growing concerns about the approach. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel

Abdulai Jinapor, has said his outfit will use any means necessary to curb illegal mining. They are demobilizing the excavators and making them all incapable of being used for the illegality they are involved in. What will an excavator be doing on the River Pra or River Offin? The destruction you have seen currently [only means that]

extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, the Minister told the media. Government has also explained that it is not going after the mining licenses, but rather going after the illegality being perpetuated by both the licensed and unlicensed miners.