The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has disclosed that the Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards initiative is an effort of the government and the Ministry to sanitize the mining industry and make it more attractive.
Launching the 2022 edition of the awards on Friday, 9th September, 2022, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor urged all stakeholders to work closely together and help promote the mining industry in Ghana.
According to him, while clamping down on illegal mining, there is the need for a conscious effort to also promote legal and responsible small-scale mining.
“This is the rationale behind the Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards,” he said.
Hon. Abu Jinapor noted that contrary to suggestions from critics that the President Akufo-Addo administration is against small-scale mining, the government recognizes small-scale mining as a key component of the country’s mining regime and is determined to sanitize it.
He stated that although the sector has been bedevilled with many practices that are unacceptable with consequences of adverse impact on the country’s river bodies, landscape and forest cover, it is also an important sector that contributes up to 40% of the country’s gold output and therefore the government is very mindful of the sector, ensuring that it is well managed.
He recounted a number of efforts that have been put in place to curb the menace saying, “Some of these measures include the national and regional dialogue, operation Halt, the reformative efforts we are making through community mining, the mercury-free gold processing machine we procured and the National Alternative livelihood programme we’ve rolled out.”
Mr. Jinapor pointed out strongly however that in spite of all these measures, the Ministry deems it necessary to also reward and promote responsible small-scale miners and recognise them to also serve as another measure to curb the menace and conform to the government’s resolve of not being against small-scale mining but rather committed to sanitizing and improving the industry.
“I would like to reiterate that the President and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are not against small-scale mining but are absolutely committed and determined to continue with efforts to sanitize the small-scale mining industry in Ghana.”
Hon. Jinapor indicated that this year’s awards scheme is going to see an expansion of the number of awardees, and outlined the categories for the awards ceremony to include:
1. Best Female Small-Scale Miner
2. Best Male Small-Scale Miner
3. Best Small-Scale Miner in Environmental Stewardship
4. Best Small-Scale Miner in Corporate Social Responsibility
5. Best Gold Exporter
6. Best Metropolitan/Municipal or District Chief Executive
7. Best Traditional Leader
The General Secretary of the Ghana Small-scale Miners Association, Mr. Godwin Armah in his remarks thanked the government for introducing the awards scheme and asserted it shows the importance that government accords the small-scale mining sector and its contribution to National development, adding that the awards scheme will help the small-scale miners work sustainably.
He appealed for government and the Ministry’s support to fight illegal small-scale mining on the Birim River, which he said is a project they have taken upon themselves as an Association.
The National Small-Scale Mining Awards is a brainchild of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources that seeks to celebrate those who adhere to the health, safety and environmental standards guiding their mining operations.
Source: Mypublisher24.com