The National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) has earmarked at least 1,000 hectares of degraded illegal mining sites in five municipalities and districts in three regions, for reclamation.
They are Bosome Freho in the Ashanti region, Bibiani Anwiaso Bekwai and Juaboso in the Western North region as well as Abukwa South and Atiwa West in the Eastern region.
This was made known by Benedict Addai, Deputy Coordinator of NAELP, at a workshop for Editors and media practitioners, in Accra, yesterday.
He said at Bosome Freho, 184 hectares of land situated at Nsuaem No. 1, Nsuaem No. 2 and Nsuaem No. 3 would be reclaimed.
At Asawinso Site A, Asawinso Site B, Mpesiem, all at Bibiani Anwiaso Bekwai and Antobra at Juaboso, he said that, 479 hectares would be reclaimed.
Mr Addai said the rest were at Afiesa 1, Afiesa 2 and Apapam, all at Abuakwa South and Abomoso at Atiwa West.
Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, urged the public to support the enforcement of mining laws, to protect the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.
He said, the public could do so by reporting illegal mining activities to the Commission for the perpetrators to be arrested and prosecuted.
Additionally, Mr Ayisi asked the public to provide evidence of illegal mining to help in the arrest and prosecution of persons financing the menace.
“We need your help in the fight against this menace which threatens our future. If you have evidence of people engaging in the act, share it with us so we can prosecute and sanction the financiers of this menace,” he said.
Mr Ayisi said as part of measures to curb want on destruction of farmlands and forest reserves by illegal miners, the Commission was planning to undertake geological survey at a cost of US$50 million, to identify areas of gold deposits.
Already, he said, the World Bank was funding some exploration projects to support the small-scale mining sector.
BY CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS
