Hon Duker Inaugurates 22 small-scale mining committees, inspects minerals commission weighbridge at Agona-Nkwanta

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resource, Mr Mireku Duker inaugurated twenty-two (22) small-scale mining committees on Friday, July 8, 2022, in Cape Coast in the Central Region.

He says this forms part of the initiatives to ensure sustainable and responsible mining within mining communities as enshrined in section 92 of the Minerals & Mining Act 2006, (Act 703).

According to the Tarkwa Nsuaem Member of Parliament (MP), The twenty-two (22) small-scale mining committees which include Assin Fosu, Assin North, Assin South, Twifo-Atti-Morkwaa, Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira, Agona West and East, Asikuma Odoben Brakwa, Awutu Senya East and West, Efutu, Gomoa East, West, and central, Ekumfi, Mfanstiman, Abura Asebu Kwamankese, Cape Coast, Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem, Ajumako Enyan Essiam, Upper Denkyira East and Upper Denkyira West District Mining Committees, shall ensure that government policies towards an effective regularization of Small-Scale & Community Mining in Ghana succeed at their various jurisdictions.

The Regional Minister, Madam Justina Marigold Assan, in her remarks indicated that sand wining being a major mining activity in the enclave poses more threat due to the unwarranted and unregulated ventures by sand winners. It is therefore the responsibility of the Committees to fight this menace head-on.

He urged the committees to strictly ensure that legal miners adhere to safety practices within the sector.

The MP also tasked the committees to ensure that foreigners do not partake in small-scale mining activities in any form or means, as established by Regulation 83 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006, Act 703.

Admonishing the committees, he urged them to use this opportunity to create jobs for the teeming youth in their respective Districts through the Flagship Community Mining Scheme Programme, which is the surest alternative livelihood support to help curb the illegalities in the small-scale mining sector.

The Dean of Central Regional MCEs, speaking on behalf of the twenty-two (22) six-member committees, unanimously indicated their commitment to deliver on their mandate and help Government achieve its vision of responsible and sustainable mining in the small-scale sector.

Later in the day, Mr Duker inspected the Minerals Commission Weigh Bridge at Agona-Nkwanta on the Tarkwa-Takoradi road stretch.

The weighbridge, when commissioned, will help track the tonnage of Manganese and Bauxite being hauled to the Takoradi port for export.

This will help government ascertain appropriate revenues that need to be paid by Ghana Manganese and Bauxite Companies and also provide an avenue to monitor and strictly ensure haulage trucks adhere to regulations as outlined by Ghana Highway Authority.

He was accompanied on the trip by Mr Samuel Tika, Deputy CEO, Minerals Commission, Mr. Nelson Ahedor, Director of Small Scale Mining at the Minerals Commission, Dr John Krugu, Project Coordinator, Ghana Landscape Restoration Project & Small-Scale Mining, Mr Benjamin Aryee, Advisor to Minister on Mines, Mr Peter Awuah, Technical Director, Mines and some other officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.