Mireku Duker

Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, Mr George Mireku Duker, has described artisanal min­ing sector as a precursor of Ghana’s gold production, potential reve­nue source, and boost to commu­nity economy .

He, however, indicated that illegal mining was one challenge confronting growth of the small scale mining sector in Ghana.

Mr Duker made this observation when he gave an overview of ASM gold formalisation at the Ghana Gold Expo which ended last Satur­day.

It was on the theme “ Sustainable Mineral Resources Development and well-being of Mining Commu­nities”.

Arguing on the importance of that ASM sector to Ghana’s econo­my, Mr Duker explained that, the sector was a precursor to large scale exploration companies, source of gold for oil policy, con­tributed a third of Ghana’s gold production and foreign exchange earnings.

It again contributed 43 per cent of about 2.1 million ounces of total gold production in 2018 and 100 per cent of diamond production, during same period to date.

“Currently, ASM is a significant sector in 13 regions (originally East­ern, Ashanti, Western and Central regions) which provides livelihoods for over three million Ghanaians, contributes to economic growth in local communities, provides raw gold for jewellery industry in Gha­na and revenue for district assem­blies.” he stressed.

He said “There were opportuni­ties in the ASM sector so we need ownership enhancement, value optimisation and area of service providers. The major challenge is the activities of illegal mining pop­ularly know as galamsey.

“The way forward includes intelligence gathering to identify, arrest and prosecute financiers/ sponsors, additional funding re­quired for Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA), sustain and strengthen Operation Halt II, and deployment of river wardens.”

Mr Duker reiterated the creation of special courts to fast -track the prosecution of offenders, inten­sification of public education on responsible mining, and called on investors and international commu­nity to help fight illegal mining.

“Enforcement of declaration of red zones (forest and water bod­ies), Operations Halt II, acquisition of speed boats for patrolling river bodies, recruitment of river/mine wardens and establishment of control room to track earth moving equipment,” Mr Duker added.

 From Clement Adzei Boye, Takoradi