The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ms Joyce Rosalyn Aryee, has observed that activities of illegal miners on concessions of mining companies adversely affected the country's image as a safe investment destination. She said such activities also adversely impacted on the companies' ability to contribute to national development. Ms Aryee made the observation during a courtesy call on Mr Abraham Kwadwo Kwakye, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister in Sunyani. She suggested that part of the Mining Development Fund should be used to promote small-scale mining to prevent activities of illegal miners. "Weaning the youth from illegal mining activities into small-scale mining has been one of the key challenges," she said and called on Government to facilitate the implementation of the law since small- scale mining would generate more jobs. Ms Aryee explained that small-scale mining would not only provide employment for the youth in mining districts but engaged them in lawful commercial enterprise to contribute to national revenue through taxes and reduce environmental degradation. Source: GNA