Gov't to reward responsible small-scale miners tomorrow

Gov’t to reward responsible small-scale miners tomorrow

A Deputy Minister of Land and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, says the first-ever Small-Scale Mining Awards Scheme is aimed at promoting and celebrating those who engage in responsible mining and adhere to health, safety, and environmental regulations.

The maiden awards, slated for tomorrow, Wednesday, December 22, is a mechanism instituted by government to help sanitise the small-scale mining sector.

The Deputy Minister said there are some Ghanaians who do responsible mining, adding that this should be known to the world so they can also learn from Ghana.

“It is in this direction that the government has instituted this award to reward Ghanaians who do responsible small-scale mining. As I speak, South Africa, Sudan and many mining dominated countries come to our Ministry to learn how we are managing our small-scale mining sector, which is encouraging enough,” he said in an interview with the media.

The upcoming ceremony

Mr Mireku Duker further said that rewarding responsible small-scale miners would aid in the fight against illegal mining, adding that geological analysis and demarcation, both of which are currently underway, had been used to determine the most suitable sites for artisanal and small-scale mining.

“First of all, the passion of H.E. the President has been to have mining sector in which the country has comparative advantage to be done in a responsible way, and the benefits would be shared equitably among stakeholders,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said the category of awards includes Over All Best Small-Scale Miner, Most Promising Small-Scale Miner, Best Female Small-Scale Miner, Best Male Small-Scale Miner, Best Environmental Stewardship and Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

As a primary criterion, all potential award winners should have valid permit with relevant laws, good records keeping, good environmental stewardship, good financial management, good health and safety practices, CSR concurrent reclaimation, good water management, sanitation and housekeeping, among others.

An award will also be given to Best District Officer of the Minerals Commission.