As part of efforts in addressing illegal mining and sustaining the nation’s position as the gateway to Africa in terms of mining, government is in the process of  reviewing the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, Act 703.

This will be a win a win for all stakeholders – that is government, investors and the mining community.

Speaking at the 2021 West Africa Mining and Power Conference, Deputy Lands and Natural Resources Minister Designate, George Mireku Duker, who represented the sector minister said the ministry will continue to implement the community mining programme to promote responsible mining.

“The government is in the process of reviewing the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, Act 703 to improve and strengthen a transparent and predictable framework that will prove not only the processes of acquiring concessions and establishing a mine”, he said.

Furthermore, Mr. Mireku Duker said “Ghana cannot be the gateway to mining in the sub region if the sector continues to be saddled with illegalities and wanton destruction of our forests and water bodies. Within our mining space, government recognizes that small scale mining operations undertaken by Ghanaians contribute significantly to the total growth production of the country. That is about 40 percent offer opportunities to support rural livelihood, develop entrepreneurship and provide the source of industrial raw materials from the minerals mining industry”, he said.

“In order to ensure that the small scale mining sector operates sustainably in an environmentally responsible manner, the ministry will continue to implement the community mining programme that will give opportunity to the local community people to engage in responsible small scale mining and we will complement this with geological investigation of blocked out areas of small scale mining operations, provision of equipment support services and training of miners among others”, he explained.

He said the campaign against illegal small scale mining already is gaining some success, and that the ministry will continue the stakeholders’ engagements to sustain this fight.

The mining sector accounts for about 27% of government revenue, employment, Gross Domestic Product, among others.

The Deputy Minister-Designate said Ghana needs accelerated economic transformation where the natural resources industries are integrated with other sectors of the economy to provide broad based in socio-economic development that the nation desire.

President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Eric Asubonteng on his part commended the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Abu Jinapor and his team for the leadership shown in dealing with illegal mining and other challenges the industry faces.

“The posture and in particular the current Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Abu Jinapor and his team is one of partnership with industry. For us as a chamber that is the most important thing; there are issues and challenges with the industry that need to be dealt with. There are opportunities that we can also take advantage of.”

The 2021 West Africa Mining and Power Conference on the theme “Ghana: Miners Gateway to West Africa” is bring together policy makers, players in the industry and the value chain operators including financial institutions.