The Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, says a “comprehensive list” of all licensed small-scale mining companies across the country has been given to the Military High Command.

This forms part of new measures instituted as part of Operation Halt II to ensure illegal mining ceases in forest reserves and water bodies.

At a press briefing to provide updates on the fight against the menace on Thursday, October 13, Mr. Jinapor stressed that this new operation will be sustainable and shall continue “until we get to a satisfactory situation with respect to illegal small-scale mining.”

“We have provided the Military High Command a comprehensive list of all licensed, lawful small-scale mining operations across the country. So even before they moved, we formally lodged it with the Minister of Defence for onward submission to the Military High Command.

“As they [soldiers] are in the field, they have the records of licensed small-scale miners and they are able to tell that this particular operation is not licensed, is not lawful and therefore it’s a 'galamsey',” he stated.

There are chief inspectors of mines and criminal investigation operatives to ensure that evidence is collected as the operation unfolds for purposes of prosecution, the Minister disclosed.

He stated unequivocally that no politician or person in high authority would be allowed to interfere with the work of the Operation Halt II teams.

“Nobody is allowed to intervene. I, as the Minister, am not allowed to call the military to say ‘please don’t go to this concession’. That discretion is not given to anybody; they are to use their own professional security expert judgement take on this matter.

“They will be responsible and accountable to the Minister of Defence, the President and ultimately the Ghanaian people. So if things go wrong in the course of operation, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, to a large extent, will not be held accountable; it is the Military High Command which would be held accountable,” he clarified.

The Operation Halt team, according to the Minister, has already been deployed to the Southern, Northern and the central commands of the country.