Parliament calls for ban on surface mining

Parliament calls for ban on surface mining

Accra (Greater Accra) 20 Dec. '99

Members of Parliament on Friday called for a ban on surface mining to save the nation's environment from further degradation.

They also took to task the Environmental Protection Agency and Minerals Commission for not doing enough to prevent companies and individual from harming the environment with impunity.

The members were debating a motion for the adoption of a report on the 1998 annual report of the Minerals Commission.

The Commission, which was institutionalised in July 1993, is charged with the esponsibility of seeing to the promotion, regulation and management of minerals and the mining sector in a sustainable manner.

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Deputy Minority Leader, said a national policy should be instituted to make mining companies adopt the deep shaft method.

"Is it because of the 20 per cent that we would get from the entire mining business that we should allow them to destroy our land?"

Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, NPP-Effia-Sekyere, said the issue of compensation should seriously be looked at.

He said landowners, who lose land for the good of the nation should be adequately compensated.

Mr Franklin Ahetor, NDC-Ashaiman, queried the Commission for not including anything on "galamsey" operations in the report.

He opined that the galamsey operators cause a lot of harm to the environment and called for their regularisation.

Alhaji Collins Dauda, NDC-Asutifi South said the current practice whereby the Minerals Commission collects royalties is unconstitutional.

He said it contravenes Article 267 (2) of the constitution, which gives the Administrator of Stool Lands the sole power to undertake such an activity.

The member also asked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to stay away from the disbursement of royalties since it is not within its purview.

On a point of order, Mr Thomas Yeboah, Chairman of the Committee on Mines and Energy, said the Attorney General had identified the anomaly and ratified it.

Alhaji Dauda said the interests of farmers are not catered for even in mining leases.

Alhaji Dauda called for the inclusion of mining equipment operators in seminars and workshops organised for the sector.

"In most cases, only managers attend such seminars. It is about time that these operators get their chance in order to appreciate the impact of their work on the environment."

Alhaji Malik Yakubu, NPP-Yendi, said other areas within the sector, which

have potentials, should be exploited, citing the Northern Region, which is believed to be harbouring large quantities of iron ore.

The ranking member rebuked mining companies for not contributing enough to the development of their areas of operation.

Paapa Owusu Ankomah, NPP-Sekondi, said the time has come for the nation to decide between irresponsible mining methods and food and cash crop production.

He said from the look of things, the EPA had failed the nation, adding that standards set by the agency are sometimes low.

"Discussions I have had with some miners indicate that they wished that some of the standards were adjusted."

Mr Siam Mohammed Erzuah, NDC-Akwatia, said surface mining had eaten away the fertility in about 60 per cent of the area's land, adding that the much-published reclamation that took place in the area was a hoax.

The only member who rejected that report was Mr G.K. Abeka, CP-Kwesimintin, who said the report was superficial and failed to capture the real issues which could put the commission on good grounds for scrutiny.

GRi../