New Patriotic Party's (NPP) vice presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has promised that all confiscated excavators from the government's crackdown on illegal mining will be returned under a future NPP administration.

Addressing chiefs and locals in Prestea Huni Valley and Mpohor in the Western Region, Dr. Prempeh stressed that NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has no plans to outlaw small-scale mining.

His remarks come amidst growing calls for the government to ban small-scale mining due to the severe environmental impact, particularly the pollution of water bodies.

Dr. Prempeh reassured the mining communities that the NPP is focused on supporting small-scale miners, provided their activities are environmentally responsible.

He emphasised the party's preference for regulating the sector over imposing a blanket ban.

“When the small-scale miners mine, they are able to get money to fend for their families. Small-scale miners vote for the NDC to win about 6 seats in Wassa, but now they [the NDC] say they will shoot and kill small-scale miners. Tell them the lies are enough. We will not shoot and kill anyone.

“We will give all seized excavators to you so you can do your work peacefully. This will help everyone to get money to fend for themselves and also for the community to develop. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will not collapse small-scale mining.

What we do not like is that you put a changfan on water bodies, but anyone interested in the government’s community mining scheme will be able to mine.”