The Minister of Mines, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko has entreated illegal mining operators popularly know as "Galamseys" to stop their illicit activities and register as small scale miners.

He disclosed that government under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative relief has developed a scheme that would assist them to acquire the necessary equipment to help them in their small scale industry. This, he said, would create an enabling environment for the government to protect and sustain the forestry and its environs.

Mr. Adjei-Darko was speaking at the handing over of the reclaimed Nueng-North Forest Reserve from Arbor Nova limited, a forestry consultant to the government at Ahwetieso near Tarkwa in the Western Region.

The site has been one of the numerous areas degraded by Galamsey operators over the past five years, which has been reclaimed with 12,500 indigenous plants.

The Minister however warned, "My ministry, as a principle, will not entertain any application from any operator who does not have the technical capabilities to restore the forest from the degradation caused by mining. We are in collaboration with the forest managers to explore mechanisms of encouraging mineral in a manner that will cause minimal damage to the forest."

Small-scale miners are to pay ?100,000 as processing fee to the Lands Commission and ?50,000 which would go to the stool administrator.

Mr. Adjei-Darko said the ministry's policy is to reclaim all mined out sites and commended the Mineral's Commission for taking up the initiative to establish a Land Reclamation Fund to assist in financing similar projects.

The minister assured that any activity that would negatively impact on the environment would be addressed appropriately.

He said those non-governmental organisations (NGOs) reacting negatively towards the mining industry should also help. "I would like to reiterate the call on the NGOs not only to make issue of the damages being caused to the environment but to also use some of their seemingly unlimited resources to help us initiate environmental management activities which would lead to sustainable development."

Mr. John Ekow Otoo, Ag. Executive Director of Forestry Service Division of the Ministry of Lands and Forestry said ill-mining and bad farm practices are threatening the forests, which are critical to human development. Stakeholders should therefore recognize and examine the consequences of their activities and join hands to combat the negative effects.

Mr. F.K. Odoom, Managing Director of Arbor Nora, said out of 65 hectares of land destroyed, the company has so far reclaimed 45 hectares. He assured that in few years time the reclaimed site would be fully revitalized to its natural form to sustain economic activities.

The Ag. Chief Ex of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Ben Aryee reiterated that modern environmentalism should have existing coordination between developmental activities and environmental conservation, so that degradation would be in check.

He promised the support of the Commission to help the Ministry for Mines in its bid to assist small scale miners to rehabilitate mined out areas and also to operate in a more environmentally friendly manner.