On behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, I inaugurated fifteen (15) Small-Scale Mining Committees in the Eastern Region on Tuesday, 31st May, 2022 at Koforidua.
This forms part of the initiatives to ensure sustainable and responsible mining within mining communities as enshrined in section 92 of the Minerals & Mining Act 2006, (Act 703).
The fifteen Small-Scale mining committees which include Denkyembour, Birim North, Abuakwa South, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Kwahu West, Fanteakwa South, Lower West Akim, Kwabibirem, Atiwa East, Atiwa West, Ayensuano, Upper West Akim, Brirm Central, Birim South and Akyemansa District Mining Committees shall ensure that, government policies towards an effective regularization of Small-Scale & Community Mining in Ghana succeeds at their various jurisdictions.
The Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, in his delivery indicated that, as custodians of their various Districts, it is the responsibility of the Committees to protect what has been handed to them by their forefathers and they are to take good care of it as posterity is going to judge their stewardship.
I urged the committees to strictly ensure that miners adhere to safety practices within the sector as Government is very committed to build local champions in the mining industry through sustainable and responsible mining.
I also tasked the committees to ensure that foreigners do not partake in small-scale mining activities in any form or means, as established by Regulation 83 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703.
Admonishing the committees, I urged them to use this opportunity to create jobs for the teeming youth in their respective Districts through the Flagship Community Mining Scheme Programme, which is a surest alternative livelihood support to help curb the illegalities in the small-scale mining sector.
Hon. Seth Asante, Atiwa West DCE, speaking on behalf of the six-member fifteen committees unanimously indicated their commitment to deliver on their mandate and help Government achieve its vision of responsible and sustainable mining in the small-scale sector.
I was accompanied on the trip by Samuel Tika, Deputy CEO, Minerals Commission, Mr. Nelson Ahedor, Director of Small Scale Mining at the Minerals Commission, Dr. John Krugu, Project Coordinator, Ghana Landscape Restoration Project & Small-Scale Mining and some other officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Together, we shall make the mining sector great.
Thank you.
