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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has launched the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme in Bibiani, Western North Region, as one of the measures aimed at curbing the activities of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey.
In his speech during the launch, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Armah Kofi Buah, stated that the project will provide small-scale and artisanal miners with training and licensing to adopt environmentally friendly methods.
He stated that arrangements will be put in place to have a Mobile Mining Licensing Unit in Bibiani for the issuance of licenses and to educate miners on sustainable practices that will keep water bodies safe and natural resources conserved.
This program is all about empowering the small miners with the right equipment and knowledge, whereby they responsibly mine as well as conserve the environment for their children to come," highlighted the minister.
Adu Gyamfi, Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Small-Scale Miners Association Chairman appealed to miners to use the program in an effort to secure legitimate licenses, noting that that would assist in protecting their livelihood and ensuring national standards.
The Programme for Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development is part of the government's larger strategy of legalizing small-scale mining and put an end to the galamsey menace.