Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah on Wednesday inaugurated the Small Scale Mining Review Committee in fulfilment of his agenda to sanitize the small scale mining regime in the country.
The 9-Member Committee chaired by Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon .Yussif Sulemana and deputized by chief Director from the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology has 2 months to submit their report.
The minister, who administered the oath of office for the Committee revealed that their terms office include audit all licenses to ensure they were properly acquired, and that due process was followed that they meet all conditions of continuous validity regards environmental water bodies, forest reserves and land preparation standards.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah in a group Photograph with Members of the Committee
He said the Committee is also to ensure that permit fees are paid in full.
“All licensees expected to cooperate and subject their documentation to this exercise within this period”, Hon. Armah Buah stated.
He warned that all who fail to go through this process will have their license revoked.
He said the Ministry of Lands and that of environment are expected to work together to establish a new classification for the small scale mining regime.
The Minister urged them to bring their A game to the fore since they were selected based on their expertise and depth of knowledge on the issues.
The Chairman of the Committee, Jon. Yussif Sulemana, on behalf of the Commitee thanked the Minister for the honor done them and assured him of their commitment to adhere to the terms of reference.
source:www.senaradioonline.com
