The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has promised to deal with illegal miners who continue to occupy AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuase mine.
AngloGold Ashanti has blamed government and the security forces for turning a blind eye on the illegal takeover of its concessions by the illegal miners, putting the lives of workers at risk.
The company fears its mineral concession will be irreparably damaged if pragmatic steps are not taken to stop the act.
Speaking to Citi Business News, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah-Mills assured that, the illegal miners will be flashed out.
“We are quietly at the background trying to resolve the issue and the more we talk about it, the more it affects the gains that are being made. For now what I can say is that we are aware of the situation and we are working to tie all the loose ends and to resolve it”, he said.
He stated that, government is engaging all stakeholders in the industry to provide a permanent solution to the activities of illegal miners.
“We have all the laws and the law specifically states that mining must be in accordance with the minerals and mining act, and regulations. So anyone who does anything other than that is breaking the law”, he said.
Pointing out some punitive measures that could be taken against illegal miners, Nii Osah-Mills stated that the equipment used by them could be confiscated.
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
