Minerals Commission grants 40 km mining concession to UMaT

The Minerals Commission, responsible for regulating mining in the country, has granted a 40-kilometre mining concession to the George Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) for practical mining lessons.

The concessions are located in Wassa Amenfi in the Western Region and another in the Ashanti Region.

Mr George Mireku Duker, a Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources announced this in Accra when he handed over a pick-up vehicle to UMaT on Wednesday, to enable the university to undertake more geological examinations.

“This is the first time the Commission has asked a university to explore areas we can mine. This is a novelty, let’s applaud the Commission. This is something that is going to help the university to enhance its geological investigation as far as mining is concerned,” Mr Duker said.

“There are some areas for the university to mine and that is also a novelty. The university is going to have its own concessions that students will be deployed to mine directly as part of their practical lessons while on campus,” he added.

It would also improve the linkage between the industry and academia towards the country’s industrial drive, he said.

Mr Martin Ayisi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, said the Commission would provide adequate support to the Geological Survey Authority and other relevant institutions to undertake geological investigations to help identify lands with rich mineral resources for mining.

This is in line with the Commission’s mandate to help resource and empower institutions under its jurisdiction.

He gave the assurance of their continuous support to the university in the form of logistics to help its investigative exercise.

Professor Richard Amankwah, the Vice Chancellor of UMaT, commended the Government and the Commission for the support and pledged to use the vehicle for the intended purpose