The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Maxwell Klu, has called for a renewed commitment to fight the illegal exploitation of Ghana’s minerals, to ensure environmental sustainability.
Minerals such as gold, gravel and sand, he said, were being exploited by some unpatriotic persons at an alarming rate at the detriment of the environment and people.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the Minerals Commission for stakeholders in the Volta and Oti regions, he said that, in view of the challenges posed by illegal mining, there was a need for renewed efforts to curb the practice.
Theme
The theme for the workshop, “Judicious Operations in Sand, Gravel, Stone, Laterite Winning and Quarrying,” he noted, was not only timely but essential.
Mr Klu said that as the country continued to develop, the demand for industrial construction minerals such as sand, gravel, stone and laterite would naturally increase, but stressed that these materials must be sourced legally to ensure environmental sustainability and safety.
He explained that the workshop aimed to clarify the legal frameworks governing industrial mineral operations, promote responsible, environmentally sound extraction methods, strengthen partnerships among the Commission, district assemblies, traditional authorities and operators, and encourage community involvement and transparency in decision-making.
Reclaimed areas
The deputy chief executive also took the opportunity to tour reclaimed areas that had been degraded by sand and gravel mining.
“These materials for development are the backbone of the country’s infrastructure—housing, roads and others—but their extraction must be balanced with environmental stewardship, community safety and legal compliance,” he said.
Mr Klu noted that the illegal sourcing of these resources continued to cause significant environmental damage. Illegal sand, gravel, stone and laterite winning, as well as galamsey, he said, have led to the pollution of water bodies, destruction of forest reserves, serious health problems and pose a threat to the very existence of mankind.
He said the Minerals Commission, together with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to combat these illegalities and called on all stakeholders to be part of the solution.
Development & mineral resources
“Our mandate at the Minerals Commission is clear: to regulate and manage the sustainable development of mineral resources for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” he said.
This mandate, he added, included ensuring that small-scale operations adhere to best practices that protect the country’s land, water bodies, forest reserves, public health and livelihoods.
In recent years, Mr Klu said the commission had observed challenges in sand, gravel and laterite winning activities, which often occur informally and sometimes illegally.
“These practices, if left unchecked, could lead to land degradation, pollution and conflict among stakeholders,” he said, adding that the workshop was critical as it provided a platform for education, collaboration and reforms to ensure environmental safety and sustainability.
