'Educate Illegal Miners'

EMMANUEL ODURO Osae, Dean of Graduate & Research at the Institute of Local Government Studies, Madina near Accra, has called for an intensified awareness creation among illegal small-scale miners to highlight the importance of legalizing their operations.

He said, 'Effective management of artisanal and small-scale mining requires raising awareness among such miners to regularize their operations and to operate legally, efficiently and in an environmentally-friendly manner.'

He noted that even though Ghana's mining law frowned on illegal mining, many people were engaged in the act without realizing the harmful effects of their operations on the environment.

He stated that awareness creation would therefore go a long way to benefit both individuals and the country as a whole.

Lawyer Osae was speaking at a training workshop for some selected journalists and editors in Accra on how to report on the extractive industry.

The two-day programme, which was sponsored by Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, was to educate media practitioners on topics such as: 'Mining Laws in Ghana' and 'Processes required in obtaining a mining concession,' and 'the fiscal regime in mining.'

Lawyer Osae said in terms of regulating small-scale mining firms, the Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources, through the Minerals Commission, had established 7 district offices located at Tarkwa, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Bibiani, Asankrangwa, Assin Fosu, Akim Oda and Bolgatanga, which were responsible for providing licensing and technical support.

'These offices are mandated to promote the regularization, education and awareness creation in illegal mining communities, development of small scale mining, as well as monitoring of the activities of small scale miners, in their respective areas of operations.'

Sulemana Koney, Director Analysis, Research and Finance of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, in a presentation stated that mining was a complex business as a result of which the industry needed to engage relevant stakeholders to educate and sensitize illegal practitioners.

'The mining industry's contribution to revenue collection in 2011 was GH¢1,034,221,732, representing 27.61 percent of total collections.'

Adiki Ayitevie Director, External Affairs & Communications, Newmont Ghana, said her company, from 2006 to February 2012, had paid a total of US$94.6 million royalties to the state.

She said Newmont was committed to ensuring environmental management in its operations, and would continue to embark on more corporate social responsibility projects in its catchment areas.

By Esther Awuah