Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Advisor on Mines to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has underscored the urgent need for a united national front to address illegal mining in Ghana.
Speaking at the 2024 Gold Statement and Exhibition Conference, he emphasized that combating this menace is crucial to ensuring the country fully benefits from its abundant mineral resources.
Delivering his presentation, Mr. Aryee noted that while the government has made notable progress in enhancing value addition within the mining sector, these gains are at risk of being undone if illegal and irresponsible mining practices persist.
He appealed to all Ghanaians to take up the civic responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s mining industry.
“We are also saying that value addition is necessary; however, there is a question we need to address if our industry is to take its rightful place, and indeed, as a country, be what it ought to be. The talk is about responsible sourcing, certainly based on responsible mining.
“Because we have a lot of irresponsible and illegal mining, we need to address it. Government needs to lead this effort, and we need to admit that. However, government alone cannot do it; let’s admit it.”
Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Advisor on Mines to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
In his address, Mr. Aryee reflected on the origins and challenges of small-scale mining, a sector that significantly contributes to illegal mining in Ghana.
He noted that the establishment of this subsector was motivated by the need to balance livelihood opportunities for Ghanaians and regulatory compliance. However, this balancing act has led to a proliferation of unregulated activities.
“Small-scale mining was premised on the fact that Ghanaians exist who don’t have the capacity to meet all the standards.
“We could say let’s enforce the standards, but it was admitted that Ghanaians need to have a livelihood, and Ghana needs to support livelihood generation.”
Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Advisor on Mines to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Mr. Aryee further called on local communities to become active participants in the fight against illegal mining. He emphasized that while the government wields significant power to enforce regulations, the success of these efforts hinges on the active involvement of citizens in promoting responsible mining practices.
Challenges in the Mining Sector
The advisor outlined a range of systemic challenges hampering Ghana’s mining industry. These include limited availability of raw materials, inadequate funding, and insufficient human capital.
One of the most pressing issues, he noted, is the lack of appropriate technology and research and development (R&D) within the sector.
“If you don’t have the appropriate technology, you may have all the resources, but it’s not technically possible to work on it. Let me highlight that this is one of our biggest problems – research and development.
“We have academia sitting in their corner, pretending to do research, which doesn’t trickle down to industry. Until we can get that sorted, we will not do very much.”
Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Advisor on Mines to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
The advisor urged academia and industry players to bridge the existing gap by fostering closer collaborations to develop technologies that can advance Ghana’s mining sector.
Mr. Aryee’s presentation also focused on the theme of the 2024 Gold Statement and Exhibition Conference: Promoting Ghana Gold Jewellery With Special Emphasis On Lapidary and Gemstones of Ghana – A New Dimension.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among industry stakeholders to unlock the potential of Ghana’s gold and gemstone sector.
“Is there a challenge? Yes, there is a challenge. Apart from PMMC, apart from the major ones we know about, like EMEFA, ASANSKA, and so on, a lot of others are doing good work.
“But if you stay in your small corner, you’re not going to make a success of our subsector, our industry. I’m not too sure about that.”
Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Advisor on Mines to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
He lamented that limited exposure and market access continue to impede the growth of the gemstone and jewellery subsector, locking up capital and stifling progress. He encouraged stakeholders to prioritize collaboration, as it could yield greater results than isolated efforts.
“Unfortunately, I say that Ghanaians don’t like collaborating; we like to operate in our corners. It’s bad business; we can collaborate and achieve more,” he remarked.
Mr. Aryee’s presentation was a clarion call for a collective approach to addressing illegal mining and fostering sustainable development in the mining industry.
While he acknowledged the strides made by the government in value addition and regulatory enforcement, he cautioned that these efforts alone would not suffice without the active participation of all stakeholders, including local communities, industry players, and academia.
The Gold Statement and Exhibition Conference, organized by Rapport Services, served as a platform for dialogue on advancing Ghana’s mining sector.
The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders to explore innovative strategies for maximizing the benefits of the country’s mineral wealth while ensuring sustainability and responsible sourcing.
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