Michael Sandow Ali, the Director of the Mining Department at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has expressed concerns about the proposed repeal of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462).
He cautioned that repealing the regulation without a stronger replacement could lead to unregulated mining in forest reserves.
Sandow Ali emphasized that removing L.I. 2462 could create chaos in the forest reserves, complicating the regulation of mining activities. He questioned whether the goal was to halt all mining in the forests or to ensure responsible mining practices.
He clarified that the regulation did not open forest reserves to new mining activities, as mining in such areas has been allowed since 1945.
He pointed out that companies, such as the Ghana Bauxite Company, have been mining in reserves like the Afao Forest Reserve since before the 1990s.
The regulation was passed to formalize existing guidelines and strengthen the government’s regulatory control over mining activities in forest reserves.
However, opponents, including civil society organizations and timber industry stakeholders, argue that L.I. 2462 facilitates easier access for mining companies to sensitive biodiversity areas, such as Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs), without restrictions on the scale of mining.
While critics have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, particularly in areas like the Atiwa Forest Reserve, Sandow Ali defended the regulation, noting that it was aligned with constitutional powers granted to the President.
He suggested that the current illegal mining activities in areas like Atiwa should be addressed by regulating the resource responsibly.
As the debate continues, the future of L.I. 2462 will significantly influence how Ghana balances environmental preservation with economic benefits from mining, especially with the new government in place.
