George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has warned of dire and devastating consequences should the government implement a sweeping ban on small-scale mining activities in the country.

Addressing a gathering of miners at Manso Amenfi in the Wassa Amenfi Central District of the Western Region, Honorable Mireku Duker minced no words in declaring his complete abhorrence for all forms of illegal mining in the country.

He, however, opined that a holistic ban on all forms of small-scale mining activities in the country is not the panacea to the galamsey menace.

Reacting to calls for the government to place a ban on small-scale mining in the country, Honorable Mireku Duker drew the attention of the proponents of such calls to the untoward hardships a total ban would create in the country, particularly in mining areas.