The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources(MLNR) has inaugurated the Ellembele District Mining Committee as part of efforts to ensure safe mining in the country.
George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mining, who inaugurated the committee on Thursday, February 17, 2022, charged the committee to promote responsible mining practices in the District.
“I will charge you to work assiduously to ensure that mining in this District becomes responsible, viable and sustainable.”
George Mireku Duker
The Deputy Lands minister indicated that there are two main purposes for which the committee was set up. He disclosed that the committee was set up primarily to fight illegal mining and also create an enabling environment for the growth and expansion of Ghanaian-owned mining companies in the District.
Honorable Duker noted that the government deems mining to be revenue-generating outlet for the country and wants the committee to be on the same page.
“Your mandate is not only to clampdown on illegal mining but also to create a viable concessions to create jobs for the teeming youth. We must not see mining as an illegality. We must see mining as an entity where we can generate better revenue from it; we can create a future out of it.”
George Mireku Duker
Gov’t to empower Ghanaian investors in mining sector
George Mireku Duker posited that government has an ambition of empowering Ghanaian investors in the mining sector to reach global status and that the Community Mining Scheme is the first step in attaining that objective.
The Deputy Lands Minister revealed that the Ministry has procured 300 mercury-free machines for the Community Mining Scheme as part of its plans of ensuring that the environment suffers no harm from mining activities. He mentioned that the Ministry will keep close tabs on the committee and urged them to submit periodic reports to the Lands and the Minerals Commission.
“We must ensure that small-scale miners have serene environment. It is your responsibility to ensure that small-scale firms are protected.”
George Mireku Duker
The Deputy Minister tasked the committee to implement measures to solve gold-smuggling in the district. He averred that it is the responsibility of the committee members to ensure that all gold sales go through the Precious Mining Marketing Company (PMMC).
Also speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh, the MCE of Ellembele who doubles as the chairman of the committee welcomed the task handed them and promised to assist government deal with issues in the mining firm.
Mr. Bonzoh indicated that Ellembele is blessed with mineral resources which has impacted hugely on the district. He noted that the committee will not tolerate any form of illegality as far as mining in the district is concerned.
The Committee chairman revealed that they have an ambition of making Ellembele the mining hub of the country and creating jobs from the activities.
The other members of the six-member committee are Douglas Asuako-Ferkah Arhinkorah, Francis Apeni, Isaac Mwinbelle, Bright Arko and a representative from the Traditional Council.
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