The Inter-ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) is asking owners of earth moving machines to get their equipment licensed by March 31, or risk prosecution.

Individuals who rent such equipment are also compelled to comply with the directive being implemented.

The Committee says it is implementing the directive in consultation with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Transport Ministry.

In a statement, the Committee said this has become necessary to enable it track all such machinery in a bid to formalize the mining sector.

“As part of efforts to sanitize and regularize operations in the country, the Inter-ministerial Committee Illegal Mining (IMCIM) is tracking all earth moving equipment (excavators, bulldozers etc.) for licensing and registration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Authority mandated by law to license and registers all motorized vehicles.”

“In furtherance of its mandate, the Ministry of Transport, through its Agency the DVLA in collaboration with the IMCIM and with the active support of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, wishes to bring to the prompt attention of owners of earth moving equipment (excavators, bulldozers etc), as well as those who hire these equipment to as soon as possible, and not later than 31st March, 2019, license and register them with the DVLA, if they have not done so already, the statement added.

The Committee also cautioned individuals against operating with any of such equipment without the required license will face punitive actions within the remits of the law.

“The affected persons and institutions are kindly advised to take note that ‘a person who uses or keeps a motor vehicle or trailer not being an exempt motor vehicle on a road when particulars of the motor vehicle or trailer have not been entered in the register maintained by the licensing authority in accordance with section 39 of the Road Traffic Act, 2004, Act 683, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to fine not exceeding 250 penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or to both.”

The government is turning to a number of measures in its quest to end illegal mining in the country and sanitize the sector.

Already, a software known as ‘Galamstop‘ has been developed to monitor mining concessions and the owners of the small-scale mining companies.

Authorities have said the software will enable the government track the companies engaging in illegal mining activities and hand out sanctions to the managers of these firms.

The software will also ensure that provisions in the Mining Act which state that licenses should be awarded 90 days after the application is adhered to.

Source: Citinewsroom