The Member of Parliament for Walewale, Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama, has criticised the government’s decision to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, arguing that the move does little to address the real scale of illegal mining across the country.

According to the lawmaker, illegal mining activities continue unchecked in many communities and along major water bodies, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the government’s latest intervention.

He contends that focusing solely on forest reserves overlooks the wider spread of galamsey operations nationwide.

Commenting on the revocation of the legislative instrument that allowed presidential approval for mining in forest reserves, Tiah Mahama cautioned that without firm enforcement and sustained action on the ground, the situation could worsen rather than improve.

He warned that illegal mining operators may take advantage of what he described as weak implementation to expand their activities.

“Illegal mining is not happening in forest reserves alone. It is happening in water bodies, within communities and settlements,” he said.

“So I don’t think this demonstrates a clear commitment to fighting galamsey. The President does not necessarily need to revoke the law; he can simply decide not to allow mining. Revoking it will not change anything. This is a cosmetic approach, and the fight against illegal mining is slipping out of government’s control.”