The Minerals Commission has called on mining
companies in the country to deepen their social bonding with operating communities
to mitigate social conflict that occasionally arises.
Mr. Amponsah Tawiah, Director of Monitoring and
Evaluation at the Minerals Commission, said by deepening the social bonding
with community members, mining companies will have a social licence to operate
harmoniously.
He made this statement at the 85th Annual General
Meeting of the Ghana Chamber of Mines in Accra.
“The Minerals Commission will continue to support
and work together with the Chamber to implement policies that will enhance the
industry, thereby ensuring a win-win situation for the host country and
industry players,” Mr. Tawiah said.
He also mentioned that the recent substantial
decline in gold price has raised concerns. From January to May this year, the
world gold price has reduced from US$1,683 to US$1,354; representing a 20
percent decline and thereby making mining companies contemplate whether to
invest more or not.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Chamber Dr. Toni Aubynn said: “As a good practice, those who bear the brunt of
mining must get the benefits. These communities, where mining takes place, must
see the benefits directly in terms of infrastructural improvement.
“These communities have had bad road networks
before, during and after mining -- so how can they say that they have
benefitted from mining,” he asked.
He indicated that, in the past, what was returned to
the communities was effectively about 5.5 percent of mineral royalty; so the
Chamber has advocated that at least 30 percent of total royalty should be
returned to these communities.
By doing this, there will be greater understanding and
deeper relationship between members of these communities and mining companies,
he added.
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