The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining says a plan is already in place to address identified gaps and strengthen the administrative monitoring and regulatory processes of the Mines and Geology Division (MGD).
This, after the Auditor General’s performance audit of the licensing, monitoring and enforcement activities of the MGD.
The audit found weaknesses in enforcement, which allowed for three mine lessees to owe penalities to MGD, totalling US$13.7 million, for failing to rehabilitate 264.14 hectares of mined-out land, among other things.
The audit examined the division’s licensing, monitoring and enforcement arrangements for the period 2019-2020 to 2023-2024.
In response, the Ministry says the measures under its plan have been implemented, while additional actions are being actively pursued as a part of its ongoing efforts to improve oversight, accountability and compliance within the sector.
It says it is reviewing the measures already implemented and those currently being pursued against the Auditor General’s findings and recommendations.
This review will help to identify any areas requiring further strengthening, and additional corrective action will be taken where necessary to ensure that the appropriate systems and safeguards are in place.