Kenyase (B/A), Aug. 19, GNA – Small-scale mining, locally called ‘galamsey’ operators at Kenyase Number One and Kenyase Number Two have appealed to the government to grant them licenses to regularize their operations.

They said besides the provision of about 10,000 jobs in the area, granting licenses on co-operative basis would streamline their operations to facilitate tax payment to both the District Assembly and the state.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kenyase on Thursday, leaders of the small-scale miners said it was the “galamsey” operation that had created jobs for the youth in the area.

Nana Kofi Boamah, chairman of the environmental and mining sub-committee of the Asutifi District Assembly, said through the galamsey operations ancillary jobs had been created.

Mr. Dallas Tawiah, also a member of the environmental and mining sub-committee, said the assembly was taking steps to formalize the operation of the small scale miners.

He alleged that the issuing of licenses to them appeared impossible because of Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL), Ahafo Mine that claims the site is part of its concession.