Excavator Registration Deadline Elapses

The deadline for the registration of all excavators in Ghana has elapsed.

The deadline for the directive which was issued by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor came to an end on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

The directive was issued in accordance with one of the resolutions adopted during a National Consultative Dialogue in April last year.

“The Ministry of Lands and Natural resources will take appropriate steps, legislative and/ executive action as the case may be to give effect to the set measures arising from this dialogue and approved by the government”, the Minister referenced in a press statement announcing registration of excavators in October.

According to him, the devastation of forest reserves and water bodies is sponsored by excavators and Changfans- {whose sale, manufacture, and operation has been banned}- used in illegal mining activities.

Owners of excavators were to get their machines registered with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDA) within the jurisdiction where it is located.

Registration Details
Registrants were to provide for the registration of an excavator, the name and particulars of the owner, the date the excavator was bought into the country, the registration number, the chassis number of the excavator and the purpose for which the excavator was bought into the country.

Also, the registrants were to name the area where the excavator will be used and any other information that the MMDA will deem relevant.

“An owner, operator, or user shall at the time of registration, specify the purpose under which the excavator is being used or to be used and the area where the excavator is being used or will be used as the case may be”, a statement from the Minster said.

Penalty
Jinapor noted the Minister for Local Government and Decentralisation, Dan Botwe had been notified to deliver the directive to MMDCEs across the country for strict compliance.

All unregistered excavators will be confiscated from November 3, the Minister indicated.

Renewed Fight Against Illegal Mining
The directive came after a renewed fight against illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey in the country.

On October 13, Jinapor announced the relaunch of Operation Halt II, a military operation that clamps down on illegal mining on various water bodies and in forest reserves in Ghana.

Among the other measures adopted by the government, he said, include the declaration of river bodies as red zones for mining; suspension of reconnaissance and prospecting activities in forest reserves except in exceptional cases; and the banning of the manufacture, sale and use of changfan.

Also are the procurement of speed boats to patrol the rivers; recruitment of river guards to support the protection of the rivers; introduction of mercury-free gold Katchas; establishment of 83 Small Scale Mining Committees in all mining districts in the country; revamping of Community Mining Schemes; and the introduction of the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme, the Graphic Online reported.

Additionally, the new measures empower military personnel undertaking Operation Halt II to do so at their discretion and without interference.

Chiefs will now play key roles in the issuance of mining licences.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini