New mining regulations to address hazards

Bolgatanga, Oct 25, GNA - Mr Stephen Piedu, Chief Inspector of Mines, has stated that the new mining laws would help address hazards in the mining industries.   Speaking at a sensitization workshop on the new laws at Bolgatanga on Tuesday, he explained that the 560 mining regulations had been accepted as one of the best in the world.   He said the new regulations were drawn up taking into consideration the modern trends of technology.   He indicated that the problem of pollution of water bodies, especially by cyanide would be a thing of the past stressing, “mechanisms have been instituted under the new mining law to handle the problem of cyanides.”   He said under the new regulations no second hand machine or equipment would be permitted to be used at mining sites and that operators of such machines apart from being tested for competency by mining companies, would further be certified by the Inspectorate Division before allowing them to work.   “Mercury shall be used only if a person uses a retort. This is one of the requirements of the new mining regulations” the Chief Inspector pointed out.   Mr Piedu lamented the poor sanitation in most mining sites and stated that under the new mining regulations, provision of adequate sanitation facilities had been catered for.   On the issue of competence of small scale miners, he said, small scale operating permit would be issued if the holder has competence or has appointed a competent person to be in charge of mining operation.   “Where the mine employs more than 30 people or explosives are used, work will be done under the supervision of sufficient number of holders of certificate of competence”.   He indicated that unlike the old mining regulations that was drawn in the 1970s and did not make provision for sand winning and stone quarrying, the new mining regulations had added that component to ensure that those activities were conducted in a sound atmosphere.   He noted that plans were far advanced to build the capacity of staff of the Mineral Commission to implement the new regulations effectively to achieve the desired impact.   He impressed upon the traditional authorities, the custodians of the land, to give backing to the implementation of the new mining regulations, saying plans were far advanced to open up large mining activities in the region.   Participants, who attended the sensitization programme, included traditional authorities, small scale miners, assembly members and staff of the Mineral Commission.   They were taken through Act 703 with special emphasis on Mineral Rights and Acquisition, Explosive Regulations LI 2177, Health and Safety Regulation LI 2182 and Best Mining Practices.   GNA... Read Full Story