Daakye Mining Enterprise, a mining company located at Wassa Gyapa in the Amenfi East District of the Western Region has been adjudged the Overall Best Small Scale Mining company at the maiden edition of the Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards, held at the Alisa Hotel on Wednesday, December 22.

The company was adjudged Overall Best Miner for managing a mining site with valid mining and environmental licences as well as a digging permit.

In addition to this, Daakye Mining Enterprise was said to have a well coordinated working system with good records keeping, an emergency assembly point, first aid kits and other relevant requirements which makes the company outstanding and worthy of the prize awarded them.

Daakye Mining Enterprise took home a plaque, a mining equipment known as a gold catcher worth $125,000 and a sponsored trip to a mining conference. This award was presented by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Aside the Overall Best Small Scale Miner, other awards were; the Most Promising Small Scale Miner, Best District Officer and a special award from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The Most Promising Small Scale Miner award which was presented by the Chief of Staff, Akosua Osei-Opare, was given to Mr. Bright Kwabena Obeng of Beloved Mining Enterprise, Assin Fosu Mining District. Mr Obeng also received a plague and a sponsored trip to a mining conference.

The next award was presented by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor to Mr. Clemence Adzormahe as the Best District Officer, noted for his regular visit to sites and hard work.

The last of the four awards for the night was the Special Award, presented to Omanhene Kwabena Asante of Adom TV for his consistent efforts towards sanitizing the sector.

He received a cash price of GH₵10,000 and a citation from George Mireku Duker who did the presentation.

As part of efforts to encourage and promote responsible small-scale mining in the country, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources instituted the Responsible Small Scale Mining Awards Scheme.

The Awards will take place annually. It is aimed at acknowledging and rewarding small scale miners who have complied with regulatory and operational requirements including adhering to health, safety, environmental and other operating standards of mining.