Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has promised to fight illegal mining if he wins the 2024 elections.
He said he would use modern technology in the form of artificial intelligence to fight the canker, which is popularly known as galamsey.
“We will introduce and encourage technological innovation to improve capacity for coordinated monitoring of the small-scale mining sector and reduce environmental impact," he said on Wednesday, May 15 at the ‘3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale mining’ organised by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani.
He proposed the utilisation of AI to identify small-scale mining and galamsey activities, monitor excavators, and establish geo-fences around concessions to prevent mining operations in unauthorised areas, including water bodies.
“This will include using AI to locate all small-scale mining and galamsey operations, track excavators, and geo-fence all concessions to ensure mining operations are not conducted in unapproved areas, including water bodies.”
This initiative, he said, aims to strengthen coordinated efforts in monitoring and regulating mining activities, thereby promoting sustainable mining practices and environmental conservation.
He added that a special fund will also be set up to help provide a pool of mining equipment for sustainable exploitations in mining communities.
“A special revolving fund will be established with the private sector to provide capital and a mining equipment pool in each district where gold mining is prevalent. This will facilitate easy and affordable access to relevant mining equipment.”