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Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie has waded into discussions regarding the menace of illegal mining in the country.

Speaking in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', the Regional Minister noted that the use of force and other crude ways to eject the illegal miners from encroaching upon the nation's lands will not help to curb the menace.

According to him, even if the miners are compelled to leave the lands; there's still a possibility that they might return because of the mindset of the indigenes.

He recounted that, in some communities; the residents accept the illegal miners and even facilitate their activities in a bid to earn a living.

He said they see it as the creation of jobs for the residents of the community and further added that the illegal mining, commonly called galamsey, has a wide network.

In that some Chiefs and influential people in the society are involved in the activity, hence stimulating the illegal miners to continue their work.

Hon. Afriyie further stated that though galamsey is considered illegal in the country, there are some miners who have been licensed while a large number of them are unlicensed but to force them out will come to naught.

To him, the way forward to resolve this life threatening occupation is for State authorities and stakeholders in the mining sector to adopt a long term sustainable plan to address the issue.

He said one of the plans is to ensure that there's a body in charge of environmental restitution which will restore the affected mining communities.

He opined that the sustainable plan should spell out clear-cut measures to clamp down on the illegal miners without wreaking havoc.