The Deputy Minister of Lands in Charge of Mining, George Mireku Duker, has disclosed that the newly-established Community Mining Scheme (CMS) at Mfante in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality of the Ashanti Region will create 2000 direct jobs.
The Deputy Minister addressing a gathering during a ceremony to inaugurate the Community Mining Scheme in Mfante, intimated that the scheme will positively affect economic activities in the community and municipality.
“This Community Mining Scheme will employ at least 2000 persons. Akufo-Addo is not against mining. In fact, he loves mining but he is against activities that destroy our environment”.
George Mireku Duker
The MP for Tarkwa-Nsuaem iterated the government’s position that the CMS guarantees more benefits to the community than galamsey. He noted that the scheme employs a safer method of harvesting gold as it does not resort to the destructive element of mercury.
“The CMS is an initiative of the government to ensure safety mining methods so as to prevent the destruction of our environment. The CMS is a good way of mining gold so that our resources will be protected. We have established CMS schemes in mining communities”.
George Mireku Duker
Honorable Mireku Duker then applauded the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, for the initiative and explained that like all the CMS’s setups, experts will be deployed to ensure that the measures stipulated in the act that regulates small-scale mining are duly followed.
Mireku-Duker appealed to the traditional leaders and community to support the government’s fight against galamsey.
“You all should be happy because this type of mining has been approved by government. We’ll make sure that all the safety protocols are followed and i am filled with happiness to see that a first aid centre has been opened. I have seen an office that will ensure proper administration. We’ll assign a geologist to this firm to inspect and ensure that everything done is in accordance with the law”.
George Mireku Duker
Responsible miners to be rewarded
George Mireku-Duker touching on the upcoming Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards at the inauguration said the Ministry will reward miners who adhere diligently to mining laws.
“We are ready to reward all and sundry who uphold the law in executing their activities regarding small-scale mining”
George Mireku Duker
The MCE of Ahafo Ano North District, Martina Appiah Nyantekyi acknowledging the initiative described it as a welcoming development for the municipality and warned against illegal mining. She posited that the scheme could lead to a turnaround in the economic fortunes of the community hence, requires the support of persons and institutions within the municipality.
The Community Mining Scheme (CMS), which is being implemented by the Minerals Commission, is a small-scale mining operation in line with Sections 81 – 99 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) is also an initiative by the government to promote local participation in the small-scale mining sector.
Unlike illegal mining where miners engaged in speculative mining resulting in environmental devastations, CMS would utilize land that has been designated for miners in accordance with Section 89 of Act 703.
