The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry will introduce three high-speed Diamond DA-42 aircraft for surveillance over the next six months as part of its reinvigorated drive to combat harmful unlawful mining and formalize the small-scale mining sector.
During an inspection of the aircraft at the Takoradi Airforce Base, George Mireku Duker, a deputy minister for lands and natural resources and the chairman of the recently formed joint committee, stated that this would be done in cooperation with the Ghana Airforce and the Ghana Chamber of Mines, who are expected to pay for the retrofitting of the aircraft at a cost of €700,000 before they are deployed.
“These are specialised aircraft for surveillance and recognisance, and we believe our regularisation effort could help in getting things done, especially getting the galamsey menace controlled. That is why my government is collaborating with private partners like the Chamber of Mines. They have come together on this one, and we anticipate that they will take up the cost and use it to monitor their activities and also help in checking the galamsey”, he said.
George Mireku Duker, after inspecting the aircraft said the sustainability of the government’s current flagship policy of gold for oil policy would heavily depend on a formalized small-scale mining sector, hence the Lands Ministry will keep up the fight till the sector is formalized.
“As I speak, the government has embarked upon a gold for oil policy and if we are going to be vigorous about that journey, then we must have a regularized industry… I believe the President is so determined in fighting the galamsey canker on ours and fortunately for us, due to the collaboration the Ministry has with the Chamber of Mines, we have come together to restore these special aircraft to assist in fighting the galamsey,” he added.
“This is an effort we are making to clamp down on recalcitrant persons who are still determined to destroy our industry. We want to streamline and regulate activities in the mining sector… We believe that it is cost-effective compared to procuring drones and other equipment. Though drones may have their efficiencies, this could be in the air for hours without being noticed and collect evidence that can be used in a court of law“, he noted.
He also explained what informed the government to take the cost-effective route of undertaking repair works instead of purchasing new equipment which will serve the same purpose.
“The servicing works on the aircraft will see the replacement of crashes, hard drives, outdated software, and engines among others”, he assured.
