Tarkwa community miners urge government to resist calls for blanket ban on mining operations
Management and workers of the Tarkwa Community Mining have called on the government to resist ongoing calls for a blanket ban on mining operations, including community mining initiatives.
According to them, their activities occur in underground environments, with minimal impact on surface water bodies or the broader environment.
They argued that such a ban would adversely affect the livelihoods of many within the Tarkwa enclave and the broader economy.
The concerns were raised during a tour organised by Miners for Bawumia (M4B) at the Tarkwa Community Mining site in the Western Region on Wednesday. The tour comes in response to calls by some political and civil society groups advocating for a total ban on mining activities across the country.
Public Relations Manager for Tarkwa Community Mining, Kwadwo Sarfo, emphasised that their operations were conducted in underground shafts, stressing that “we don’t pollute river bodies or destroy the environment.”
He added, “We have a safety policy that emphasizes: ‘Think safety, think about your life.’”
Mr. Sarfo noted that a total ban on mining would cripple the local economy and eliminate jobs in mining communities like Tarkwa and beyond, further jeopardizing livelihoods.
Addressing the Akoon Group, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, stated that no political organization or group had the authority to unilaterally call for a ban on mining in Ghana.
“This government will not ban mining today or tomorrow. Galamsey is already illegal as per existing regulations, so what exactly are they calling for? If you advocate for a ban, it would affect responsible mining. Why call on the government to ban responsible mining in the country?” Mr. Duker queried.
The Deputy Minister assured the group that the government would not allow any individuals or groups to undermine its efforts to build and promote a sustainable mining economy in Ghana.
He stressed that mining should not be the exclusive preserve of foreign investors and large capital markets, arguing that local Ghanaian interests must also be empowered to benefit from the country’s mineral resources through job creation, wealth generation, and community development.
He asked the group, “Do you mine in water bodies or forest reserves?” emphasising the responsible nature of their operations.
Mr. Duker warned that a ban on community mining would suffocate the local economy, reduce incomes, and ultimately threaten the stability and security of families in mining communities like Tarkwa.
Any such action, he said, would undermine the government’s community mining concept.
He called on the miners to support government efforts in promoting community mining and to ensure they desist from activities that lead to environmental degradation, such as river pollution or destruction of forest reserves.
Mr. Duker also urged the group to pray for the success of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign, aimed at sustaining and promoting the mining industry in Ghana.