George Mireku Duker(left) with Paul C. Kabuswe, Zambian Mines Minister
The Zambian Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul C. Kabuswe, yesterday led a 6-member delegation to Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to familiarise himself with operations at the Ministry, particularly on issues relating to the small-scale mining in the country.
Speaking at a brief meeting, the Zambian Minister said his visit to Ghana was to basically study the country’s small scale mining sector, exchange ideas and learn best practices in the Ghanaian mining space.
He indicated that for Africa to thrive and prosper in its own efforts and resources, there must be strong and closer collaborations among African countries.
“We need to collaborate and share ideas to help harness our resources as Africans and liberate ourselves economically because we are not yet economically powerful as a continent and as such, I believe it is time to stay together and exchange ideas and not to stay aloof,” he stated
He further disclosed that Zambia had recently discovered gold with plans of embarking on a very robust minerals explosion to ensure the mineral does not end up in wrong hands, saying “the country is mapping up the entire Zambia to among others, help understand the extent of Mineralisation within the country”.
“Zambia has taken the decision to clean up their license system because we believe that “mining starts at licensing stage and if you don’t get it right from the beginning, you miss the point and therefore you must get it right from the beginning,” he said.
Towards ensuring an inclusive-system, he revealed that their government is set on a path to re-organise the mining sector of Zambia with a new mining policy framework to strengthen the sector.
Mining efforts
Responding, George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, updated the delegation on Ghana’s efforts to improve on the mining sector through its regulatory framework and decentralisation.
“I am happy that Zambia has shown interest in Ghana’s mining sector. Up to 500 companies have also shown their interest in the exploration of same as well as harness opportunities in the country,” he disclosed.
On value addition, Mr Duker said the Ministry had set up agencies to promote and develop an integrated bauxite, aluminium, iron and steel industry in the country.
As part of Ghana’s contribution to the Minamata Convention, he said government had procured mercury-free mining equipment which efficiently recovered more Gold for artisanal and small scale miners and encouraged responsible mining in the country.
The delegation also paid a similar visit to the mining regulator in Ghana, Minerals Commission, and to Precious Minerals and Marketing Company, which, among others, promotes the development of precious minerals in the country.
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