The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, says his ministry has not received any formal report indicating that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are charging fees for or authorising the use of excavators, chanfans and other mining equipment for illegal mining activities in mining districts.

His comments come in the wake of a JoyNews investigation that uncovered allegations that some local authorities were facilitating or authorising the deployment of earth-moving and mining equipment in areas affected by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

Responding to questions in Parliament, the Minister insisted that excavators and other mining equipment cannot legally be used for mining operations unless operators have registered with the Minerals Commission and complied with all statutory requirements governing the sector.

“The ministry has not received any formal report of MMDAs issuing permits, receipts and authorisation for the operation of excavators, chanfans and other mining equipment in mining districts,” Mr Buah told Parliament.

He explained that under Regulation 1 of the Minerals and Mining (Support Services) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2174), any person intending to use earth-moving or mining equipment for a mineral operation must first register with the Minerals Commission as a mine support service provider to a holder of a mining right.

The Minister further cited Regulation 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations—Tracking of Earth-Moving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), which requires that all such equipment be registered with the Minerals Commission and that the requisite mining permit be obtained before the equipment is operated.

In addition, he noted that Regulation 8 of the Minerals and Mining (Health, Safety and Technical) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2182) requires the holder of a mining lease to obtain a mining operating permit from the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission.

“It is only after satisfying these requirements that a person has a legal basis to operate such equipment within the mining sector,” the Minister said.

He warned that operating excavators, chanfans or other mining equipment without the necessary permits constitutes an offence under Sections 99(7) and 99(8) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by Act 995 of 2019.

Mr Buah said the Minerals Commission, in collaboration with other state agencies, continues to enforce the regulations governing mining equipment and engage MMDAs to ensure that no permits, receipts or authorisations relating to mining operations are issued before the Commission grants the required approval.

“To this end, the Minerals Commission, working with other agencies, continues to enforce these regulations and requirements and engage MMDAs to ensure that permits, receipts and authorisations relating to mining operations and equipment are not issued to any company before the Commission grants the requisite permit,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister has disclosed that government is actively seeking investors to develop the Sheini iron ore deposit.

The deposit, described as the largest known iron ore deposit in Ghana, is expected to present a major opportunity for the country to expand its mining industry, create jobs and generate additional revenue if commercially developed.