Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Mining, George Mireku Duker, has expressed the commitment of government to collaborate with any country, organization or person to help combat the illegal mining menace in the country.
According to him, this will become the platform that will spur the execution of government’s flagship mining policy which is making Ghana a hub for mining in Africa.
Delivering a speech during a meeting with Officials of London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), Mr Duker stated that multi-stakeholder approach is required to win the battle against illegal mining also known as galamsey.
Some of these measures, he noted, include the Community Mining Scheme, Operation Halt II, recruitment of river wardens, purchasing and handing out of mercury free machines also known as Gold Katcha, among others.
“Whiles the government continues to court International and local support to deal with the menace, it has proactively executed some measures and policies which are already bearing fruits. They have indicated that they are ready to support us ensure that we have a very sanitized mining industry; that is refreshing, especially because their support will be towards the protection of our river bodies. They have given us experiences from Peru and other countries and that is great.”
George Mireku Duker
Another offer from the LBMA delegation is its resolve to establish a Mineral Refinery centre in Ghana. With this, Mr Duker explained that LBMA’s offer aligns perfectly with the policy currently being pursued by government, which is moving the country from resource production to resource refinery or value addition.
He stated that the government of Ghana will facilitate the establishment of the refinery and encourage Ghanaian partnership to ensure its success.
Lands ministry petitioned on FGR dormant operations
Meanwhile, a four-member delegation of Chiefs from the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality has petitioned the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to probe the dormancy in operations of the Future Global Resources (FGR), a Mining company based in Bogoso Prestea Huni Valley of the Westerns Region.
Speaking on behalf of the Delegation, Nana Nteboa Pra IV, Chief of Himan Presta, tabled a number of concerns before the Deputy Minister, particularly with the issue of FGR abandoning their operations and Corporate Social responsibilities in the area.
Nana Nteboa Pra IV noted that their lease agreement is not being followed and judging from their level of operations, he fears the miners’ operations will soon come to a halt, and this may lead to unemployment, under-development, among others, which they are concerned could degenerate into full-scale security crisis in the area if nothing is done.
Nana Nteboa Pra IV expressed their readiness to assist the Mine in any way they can to have the company running again, even if it means injecting some capital into their operations.
The Chief emphasized that they want to also record success stories from the Mining company as recorded in other communities with Mining companies saying, “we know that when they start working effectively, we will also see development and that’s what we all want”.
Furthermore, the Chief in his submission applauded government for stating in the 2024 budget to build and repair road and various mining communities of which the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality is a part of.
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, George Mireku Duker on behalf of the sector minister assured that the Ministry will probe the concerns by the chiefs and take necessary actions to address the situation.
“We will not take this lightly or sweep it under the carpet. We will ensure that we address this concern and get to the root of it.”
George Mireku Duker
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