Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister has tasked the Ghana Chamber of Mines to collaborate effectively with multinational companies in the fight against illegal mining.

He noted that the Region, being the base for mining, was greatly under siege from activities of illegal and uncontrolled mining with its ill effects on the environment both now and the future.

Mr. Nelson said: “Out of the 14 districts of my Region, 12 are under siege…it's a huge one and the fight must be bigger, and I believe we must be able to stop the negative activities and its deadly effects with proper collaboration and with the laws well situated.”

He was speaking during a visit by the leadership of the Chamber of Mines to introduce the members of the new leadership of the Chamber, and solicit its support in the fight against galamsey, a common Ghanaian name for illegal small-scale mining.

The Western Regional Minister charged the Leadership of the Chamber to churn out fresh ideas to root out “these nefarious countrymen and foreigners bent on destroying the natural resources of the state through irresponsible mining.”

Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines noted the need for a detailed plan with the security services in the Region to help in the fight.

“We really need for the intelligence community to be dedicated to this cause …we are joined in the hip with you to work in the interest of Mother Ghana”, he added.

Dr. Ashigbey mentioned a series of interventions, including the training of some judges and magistrates in the Western, Central and Western North regions to properly understand the land and minerals laws to expedite trials in such cases.