Leaders discuss ways of productive and equitable artisanal and small-scale mining

A diverse group of national and community leaders will collaborate to turn the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector into an engine for growth and equity.

The group includes representatives from the Ghana Minerals Commission, government departments, artisanal and small-scale miners, large mining companies, academia and non-governmental organisations. 

Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, told this over 60 sector stakeholder at a four-day ‘action dialogue’ in Tarkwa, Western Region. 

The dialogue included visits to ASM sites and research-based debates, and was convened by Friends of the Nation (FoN) with support from the UK-based International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). It was designed to focus on solutions and spur collaboration in a sector widely considered “challenging”, and often perceived negatively by Ghanaian society.

“The strength of this initiative lies in the diversity of its leadership group. Together, we can build an ASM sector that is streamlined, respected and generates employment and wealth. We are close to a major change in the way we do artisanal and small-scale mining in Ghana,” he said. 

Access to reliable information on geological assets, good ASM practices and finance sources are part of an emerging ‘roadmap’ for a more responsible ASM sector started during the dialogue. There were also calls for more streamlined licencing and operational processes.

The dialogue participants agreed on the need to explain to the wider Ghanaian society how ASM can be a force for positive change in the country. 

The need for improvements in the sector’s current practices to recognise the role of women, and the need to empower the most vulnerable communities were also widely agreed.

“The change needs to come from within ourselves. We need to make the effort as miners to work responsibly so we can improve our image. We must not ignore the role of women as part of this process,” said Amina Tahiru, small-scale miner and coordinator of women in mining at the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM).