Upper Denkyira West And East Mining Inaugurate Committees

Two Small-Scale Mining Committees in the Central Region were at the weekend inaugurated by Dr. Toni Aubynn, CEO of the Minerals Commission, for and on behalf of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills.

At the inaugural ceremony of the Upper Denkyira East Municipal and Upper Denkyira West District Small-Scale Mining Committees at Dunkwa and Diaso respectively, Dr. Aubynn called on the members of the committee to endeavour to assist the District Office of the Minerals Commission to effectively monitor, promote and develop mining operations in the designated areas.

On the contribution of Artisanal and small-scale mining to the economy of Ghana, the CEO of the Minerals Commission disclosed that, in 2014 for instance, total gold produced by small scale miners was about 1.49 million ounces, representing 34.3% of total gold produced in Ghana. He said, “all the diamonds produced was by ASMs and the sub-sector also generated substantial employment to the youth both direct and indirect as well as forward and backward economic linkages”.

According to Dr. Aubynn, the Upper Denkyira East and West and its environs is undoubtedly one of the hubs of ASM mining activities in the country and it is confronted with all the challenges associated with artisanal mining. “Some of these are the poor health and safety conditions under which the miners operate, environmental degradation, social upheavals and the high incidence of illegal mining” he noted.

He therefore urged members to ensure that small scale mining in their area of jurisdiction becomes a decent means of livelihood for the youth but not a menace as “galamsey” is sometimes described.

Under Section 92 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), a Small Scale Mining Committee (SSMC) must be established in every area designated for small scale mining.

In her remarks, the chairperson of the committee and also the Municipal Chief Executive Officer of the Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly, Hon. Emelia Ankomah assured the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources that, the committee will live up to the tasked reposed on them.

She however appealed to the Minister to support the Assembly with some logistics such as live jackets and fast boat to be able to patrol the offin-river and ward off the illegal miners.

On his part, Hon. Ambrose Amoah-Ashyiah, the District Chief Executive Officer of Upper Denkyira West District Assembly and the chairman of the committee, promised that the committee will deliver on its mandate to bring sanity to the small-scale mining operations in the District.