The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi, addressed the Government Assurance Committee of Parliament on Monday, October 7. He emphasized that while addressing illegal mining is crucial, halting the issuance of licenses for legitimate miners inadvertently creates opportunities for illegal operators.
Ayisi shared that when his minister took office in 2021, the first thing he told him was to cut the delays in issuing licenses, as these delays were contributing to the problem. In response, the Commission moved its processes online, reducing the time taken for license issuance from a year to a week or two. Ayisi explained that not issuing licenses leads people to mine illegally, and even those with licenses may not comply with regulations.
The Minerals Commission opposes suspending the issuance of mining licenses as a strategy to curb illegal mining, arguing that delays in license processing worsen the issue. They explained that such delays drive individuals toward illegal mining activities, resulting in severe damage to water bodies and forest reserves. Ayisi also expressed concerns about recent calls for a total ban on small-scale mining, warning that it would unfairly punish those who follow the rules, while others engage in illegal activities.
He cautioned the government against implementing a blanket ban on small-scale mining, emphasizing that it would not be an appropriate solution.