Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mining, George Mireku Duker, has revealed that government will continue to create the enabling environment for the smooth operation of licensed large and small-scale mining companies in the country.
According to him, mining companies hold a strategic and indispensable position in Ghana’s economy and its growth. As such, every policy or support that will facilitate their smooth operation and profit maximization will be adopted by government.
He gave the assurance when he paid a working visit to TW Tailings Mining Company at Suhyenso in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.
Mr Duker indicated that the main purpose of the visit was to ascertain the traceability of the gold objects which the company refines. He noted that creating the enabling environment for a thriving mining industry includes ensuring that the minerals are procured from legitimate sources.
“There are mining companies who have secured licenses but not following and it wouldn’t augur well for us to sit in Accra and watch on these complaints that we do receive. There are companies with licenses but not following best practices, so, it’s just prudent for us to come to the field and have a firsthand experience. Traceability is key to us because we discourage people mining in our forests and people mining illegally and if these minerals are secured or procured from illegal miners, then you need to find a way of ending it.”
George Mireku Duker
On his part, the Manager in charge of Health and Safety of the TW tailings Mining Limited, Mr Ernest Antwi, gave a general overview of the company including staff population and operational capacity and processes. He assured that the company has acted within the dictates of their licenses and also adhered to environmental guidelines.
Mr Mireku Duker, after the presentation took a tour of the company to assess for himself its operations.
Speaking after the tour, he explained that the Ministry will continue to make unannounced visits to mining companies to ensure that the laws are followed. He commended the company for the representation of Ghanaians in their staff population and expressed satisfaction with everything.
“This is an organized operation, and they follow all the best practices and safety protocols. The only caution is to have the road motorable.”
George Mireku Duker
The MP for Odotobiri, Akwasi Gyamfi, expressed confidence that the company will expand and employ more Ghanaians.
Galamsey fight is a shared responsibility
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has iterated that the fight against illegal mining is a shared responsibility that must have the active participation of every Ghanaian.
In view of this, he stated that government’s vigorous campaign to end illegal small-scale mining will not yield the desired result if all stakeholders including the ordinary Ghanaian do not assume their role in the battle.
He made this statement which seeks to reignite the sense of nationalism and patriotism of Ghanaians in the fight during an engagement with the media practitioners and government communicators in the Ashanti Region.
The forum held in Kumasi was aimed at bringing the journalists and government communicators up to speed with the progress made by the government in the fight and also sensitize them on the important role they can play in the combat.
He thus gave an elaborate and all-encompassing presentation on the battle against illegal mining from 2017 when the Akufo-Addo-led administration assume office.
The Deputy Minister’s presentation highlighted some interventions rolled out by government to sanitize the small-scale mining sector.
Among these interventions are organization of consultative dialogues, declaration of red zones, digitalization of small-scale mining licenses, commissioning of mercury free machines, acquisition of speedboats, activation of the Community Mining Scheme and recruitment of river wardens.
Mr Duker reminded the trained communicators of their role as liaisons between the government and the general public, emphasizing that they are to preach the commendable and instructive efforts and achievements by government and also criticize where necessary.
He also explained into details the role of government in the fight in a bid to curb the situation where the Ministry is mostly blamed for the ineffectiveness of some state institutions.
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