Lands Minister urges mining firms to collaborate with govt

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, has assured the mining industry, particularly licensed large-scale mining companies in the country of the government's firm commitment to protect their concessions by activating all necessary security protocols.

He stated that the fortunes of large-scale mining firms have a direct impact on the government's economic projections, highlighting the necessity for good collaboration to expand the industry and maximize its earnings and benefits to the country.

He made this statement when he delivered the keynote address at the Mining for Development Forum held on Tuesday in Accra.

Speaking on the theme, "Ensuring the Security of Operations in Ghana; The Role of Stakeholders," Mr Jinapor emphasized the need for mining firms working with the government to secure their concessions through the Ghana Chamber of Mines.

While expressing concern about allegations of illegal invasion of large-scale mining firms, the Minister listed two critical pillars that, if followed to the letter would eliminate the threat of encroachment on large-scale mining concessions.

“There are two fundamental pillars on which I believe we can chart our path. One in my view is brute enforcement. What you do with brute enforcement is that when such issues happen, you move in immediately uproot them, you sack them, arrest, prosecute and convict them. Another aspect is putting in place sustainable measures to carry the community with you. Any group which suggests that just deploying law enforcement agencies will resolve issues of encroachment of large-scale enforcement will not work. The enforcement is absolutely important and the principle of carrying the community along is also important,” he disclosed.

He maintained that these two factors are equally important and must work in tandem to attain the objective of guaranteeing the absolute safety and protection of the concessions of large-scale mining concessions.

The Lands Minister commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for the programme and urged it to work hand-in-hand with the government to carry out short-term sustainable measures to develop their communities.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Miners, Sulemana Koney, stated that the forum would allow the various stakeholders to deliberate on the various means of ensuring the protection of concessions and contributing to the community and country development.

He commended the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for its consistent efforts in seeking to address the teething challenges of the large-scale mining firms.