Small scale mining contributing to economy but...

Akyem Oda, July 19, GNA - Ms Ophelia Koomson, Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive, has said though small-scale mining contributed significantly to the economy this contribution was negated by certain negative tendencies bordering on socio-economic and environmental issues.

She said for instance in 2010 gold produced by small- scale miners was 767,196 ounces, representing 23 percent of total gold produced in Ghana.

“All the diamonds produced was by small scale miners. Small-scale miners also generate substantial employment to the youth both directly and indirectly. Their activities also create economic linkages with other sectors of the economy,” she said.

Ms Koomson was speaking at a day’s workshop organized by the Minerals Commission at Akyem Oda on Tuesday.

The workshop aimed at creating a platform for stakeholders to share experiences and develop a comprehensive framework for the artisanal and small- scale mining in Ghana.

Ms Koomson said in recent times, activities of small-scale miners had been linked with environmental degradation.

“Activities of small scale miners also lead to other social vices such as child labour, increase in truancy leading to school drop-outs, alcohol and drug abuse and prostitution.”

Mr Ben Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, said it was the government’s policy to develop the small-scale mining industry to become as efficient as their large-scale counterparts and that the industry would become truly indigenous and self reliant with most of its needs being serviced by local companies.

He said in line with that policy the government, with support from development partners, was implementing the Natural Resources and Environmental Governance (NREG) Programme with one major objective of reducing if not eliminating completely those negative impacts.

“Under the programme, several areas are being geologically explored to find suitable grounds for small-scale miners.”

“The National Security has also intervened and set up a National Sub-Committee on Lands and Natural Resources of which the Commission is a member. This Sub-Committee amongst others strategizes on how to deal with illegal mining and logging,” she said.

Mr Richard Kofi Afenu, Manager, Sectoral Policy and Planning, Minerals Commission, said issues of small-scale mining had moved away from being a local community issue to national issues where “recently we are having foreigners engaged in a sector which is otherwise strictly reserved for Ghanaians under the law”.