Martin Ayisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, has suggested underground mining as a possible alternative to the complete ban on mining in forest reserves as part of efforts to combat illegal mining, or galamsey.
This comes after the government announced plans to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462), when Parliament reconvenes.
The revocation is part of a broader strategy to strengthen enforcement against mining activities in protected areas such as water bodies and forest reserves, which are deemed red zones.
Ayisi expressed that, in his personal view, some form of controlled mining, such as underground operations, should be allowed under certain conditions.
He noted that while this may not be the final decision of the government, it could provide a more balanced approach compared to a blanket ban on all mining in forest reserves.
