Friday, December 16, 2011

Small scale mining to become self reliant

Government aims to position the small-scale mining industry to become efficient, indigenous and self reliant, Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has said.

“Under the constitution, illegal mining is criminal and called on small-scale miners to legalize their operations to avoid prosecution.

“Despite problems associated with both legal and illegal mining, the activities of small-scale miners have contributed significantly to the economy of the country.

Available checks estimate that over one million people are involved directly in small scale mining and over a million people benefit directly or indirectly from this activity.

Last year gold production from the activities of small scale miners from both legal and illegal sources contributed approximately 800,000 metric tones, which is 28 per cent of total gold production in Ghana.

Mr. Hammah speaking at a workshop on the development of a framework to improve artisanal small scale mining activities in Accra said: “Government recognizes that small-scale mining operations undertaken by Ghanaians offer opportunities to support rural livelihoods develop entrepreneurship and provide a source of industrial raw materials.

“Government has implemented a range of measures relating to the regulation and promotion of small-scale mining with some positive results.

“These include: The establishment of district offices manned by Minerals Commission personnel to give technical assistance to small-scale miners, and the geological investigation and demarcation of areas suitable for small-scale mining, Provision of finance to small –scale miners to improve their operations.

“Government’s intension is to build upon these achievements to implement further initiatives to enhance the development of an efficient, modern and sustainable small-scale mining sector, involving both precious and industrial minerals.”

Mr. Hammah added: Small scale mining is increasingly becoming a very lucrative venture for many people; it still faces some significant challenges.

“The challenge of accessing viable demarcated areas for their activities has given room for illegal small-scale miners to encroach on concessions of large scale mining companies.”

Financial constraints have compelled the miners to “use unsustainable mining methods without regard to its effects on the environment.”

Benjamin Aryee, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Commission, said: “There should be strict enforcement of the laws governing artisanal and small scale mining, Ghanaian concessionaries must be allowed to source foreign partners for expertise and finance, procedures for license acquisition should be simplified, some mining lands should be reserved for posterity and land reclamation must be enforced strictly.”

Small-scale mining is reserved for Ghanaian citizens

The minerals licensing system provides for the granting of mineral rights for small-scale mining operations reserved for Ghanaian citizens.

The Minister will exercise his authority, in consultation with the Minerals Commission, to designate further areas to be reserved for small-scale mining activity based on technical and financial viability of the areas for small-scale mining activities.

To manage land use conflicts in the context of small-scale mining, the Minerals Commission will develop standardized procedures, including adequate advance notice, and community representation in deliberations leading to the designation of areas.

Government will continue to ensure the use of appropriate, safe and affordable techniques in small-scale mining.

To encourage the use of appropriate, affordable and safe technology, government is giving support to the collation and dissemination of information about appropriate technologies, the provision of extension services and demonstration of improved technologies.

In seeking to promote the interests of small-scale mining, government will endeavour to provide advice and support to small-scale miners on forming representative associations.

Government will work with, and encourage, mining companies to collaborate and give support to small-scale miners where it can be established that this will be in the mutual interest of the parties.

To mitigate the negative impacts of small-scale mining, government will disseminate information to raise awareness of health, safety and environmental risks, and will periodically reverse and disseminate occupational health and safety guidelines for small-scale mining.

Nothing in this policy document should be constructed to equate small-scale mining with illegal mining. While encouraging small-scale mining in approved areas, the government will protect bona fide mineral rights holders from interference in their operations by unlicensed persons. Government will work in partnership with all stakeholders in this regard.

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