The Chamber of Small-Scale Mining Industries in Ghana (COSSMIG) has rejected a request by Organised Labour led by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) for a total ban on all mining activities in the country due to the negative impact of illegal mining.

While admitting to the consequential destruction of the forest cover, water bodies, and health hazards of illegal mining, the Ghana Chamber of Small-Scale Mining Industries argues that there is a need for a proper distinction between small-scale mining and illegal mining for “fairness and accuracy” in public discourse and not a blanket request.

Responding to the total ban on mining being championed by Organised Labour, the National Coordinator of COSSMIG, Baffour Yamoah Asare, in a statement, argued that it is misdirected to conflate the activities of lawful small-scale miners and illegal miners when the former are committed to sustainable mining practices and operate under strict regulations set by relevant authorities.

“It is essential to clarify that lawful small-scale miners operate under strict regulations set by the Minerals Commission and other relevant authorities. These miners play a vital role in Ghana's economy, providing livelihoods for many Ghanaians and contributing to the country’s gold production”, parts of the statement read.

The statement stressed that “Galamsey operators, on the other hand, are illegal miners who act outside the framework of the law and cause the environmental destruction highlighted in the TUC’s statement. Conflating the two groups undermines the efforts of responsible miners who are committed to sustainable mining practices”.

It further warned that a blanket halt without recourse to a more nuanced approach focusing on enforcing existing laws and differentiating between illegal and legal operations would have dire consequences such as significant job losses and increased poverty on responsible small-scale miners who comply with sustainable environmental regulations.

“The TUC’s call for a blanket halt on all mining activities in forest reserves and other affected areas fails to account for the lawful operators who comply with environmental regulations. A blanket ban would not only affect illegal operators but would also unfairly punish responsible small-scale miners and their dependents,” the group said.