AMN - Small-scale support in Ghana will boost industry – comment by Yolanda Torrisi

A healthy small-scale mining scene in Ghana flows on to a thriving mining industry in the West African country and it is encouraging to see the government is taking steps to lift the current ban on small-scale mining on a permanent basis.

A roadmap aimed at bringing an end to the ban was rolled out by the government last month and while it does not state the specific time the ban will be lifted, there are indications that it may happen before Christmas, depending on how the plan is implemented.

This initiative is in line with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's quest to sanitise and regularise artisanal and small-scale mining operations in the country.

An initial step in the roadmap is the Presidential Committee on Environment and Natural Resources starting to vet the licenses of all artisanal and small-scale miners from September 3. Members of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) have been advised to submit their documents to the office of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining for vetting.

The roadmap includes reclaiming and re-afforestation of mined-out areas; restoration of impacted water-bodies; and strict supervision of the processes in awarding mining licences and associated permits to deal with illegal mining.

Another factor that will help in this process in Ghana is the adoption by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) of the Minamata Initial Assessment(MIA) report conducted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). MESTI has vowed to follow this through.

MIA is an initiative that seeks to find solutions through tailor-made empirical research, anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury or mercury compound, and reduce or eliminate its use with the aim of protecting human health and the environment.

The report indicated that elemental mercury imported into Ghana is used largely in artisanal small-scale gold mining operations to recover gold making communities close to mining areas the leading hotspot.

The importance of these measures was reinforced by Australia’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Andrew Barnes, who said they were a step in the right direction.

“We realise the importance of the small-scale mining sector to the economy of Ghana so, we do not have a problem if the government wants to allow the comeback of small-scale miners into operation.

“When Australian mining companies come to Ghana to engage in mining, they operate at the highest level possible and exhibit professionalism as well as invest into local communities and train human resources for development.”

He indicated that Australia’s mining sector was close to 200 years old and had been involved extensively in Africa’s mining operations, including in Ghana.

He said the government was creating the necessary atmosphere for businesses to thrive and was implementing reforms to make Ghana the hub of foreign investment in Africa. Australian companies were monitoring these moves keenly and a number were interested in investing.

“Ghana’s economy is stable and investors capital is safe, so I am trying to get Australian companies to invest here because investment is safe here especially in the mining sector and this is all to deepen the economic relationship and partnership between Ghana and Australia.”

He said the MIA report coupled with the roadmap and other measures that the government had put in place would keep the mining sector strong enough to attract more foreign investment.

These measures include the formation of District Mining Committees against illegal mining, with clearly-defined terms of reference; and the deployment of satellite imagery and drone technology to monitor the mining activities of illegal miners.

Andrew Barnes also outlined a number of initiatives that Australia is offering to strengthen the skills and capacities of Ghana’s future leaders, including scholarships and a series of free public information sessions and practical application workshops.

“We are delighted to nurture and facilitate local talent and expertise through our programs so that they can make an important contribution to Ghana’s inclusive growth and development in the future,” he said.

Yolanda Torrisi is Chairperson of The African Mining Network and comments on African mining issues and the growing global interest in the continent. Contact:yolanda@yolandatorrisi.com