The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, Hon. George Mireku Duker, has provided extensive insights into the policy strategy of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for the small-scale mining sector.
He characterized it as a groundbreaking strategy with the potential to revolutionize Ghana’s mining industry.
Speaking at a press engagement on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, Hon. Mireku Duker meticulously outlined Dr. Bawumia’s mining policy, expressing his strong belief in its capacity to transform the mining sector, particularly the small-scale mining segment.
He explained that the strategy is anchored on two thematic areas, which are “ushering Ghana into a Golden age for the maximization of the benefits from our natural resources like gold, lithium, bauxite, and so on. The key to doing this is value addition and Ghanaian ownership; and establishing a new paradigm in natural resource contracts. “
George Mireku Duker highlighted that the 18-point policy document aims to formalize, regularize, and environmentally sustainably regulate small-scale mining. This approach is intended to promote the growth and expansion of the sector.
He noted that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is well aware of the socio-economic potential of environmentally friendly and profitable small-scale mining.
“We will Formalize, regularize and regulate environmentally sustainable small scale mining. About one million people are engaged in small scale mining. Our goal would be to help grow small scale mining companies into large scale companies with capacity building and assisting them to access financing to acquire equipment. We can create many millionaires in the small scale mining industry if we support them.”
To achieve this goal, Mr. Mireku Duker highlighted that a government led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would establish a viable link within the entire value chain of the small-scale mining sector.
This link would enable small-scale miners to sell their gold to the Bank of Ghana, thus becoming part of the gold reserves of the central bank.
“We will support the Minerals Commission and key stakeholders to formalize the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector with the objective of ensuring that the activities of the entire value chain are sustainably and responsibly done so that most of the gold produced by this sector can be sold to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and be eligible to be part of the gold reserves of the central bank.”
Mr. Mireku Duker mentioned that under a Bawumia administration, the decentralization program initiated by the Akufo-Addo government regarding the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency would continue. This program aims to ensure that these institutions have a presence in all mining districts, facilitating the smooth administration of mining activities in the country.
He further stated that the successful Community Mining Scheme would be expanded to ensure its sustainability. Additionally, all small-scale miners would be required to register with the National Small Scale Miners Association.
“We will further deepen the decentralization of the minerals commission as well as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ensure that they are present in all mining districts.”.
He assured that under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s administration, there would be a significant reduction in illegal mining activities through innovative ideas and policies. The administration would also take decisive action against miners who flout regulations.
Mireku Duker called on Ghanaians, especially those in the small-scale mining sector, to trust Dr. Bawumia to protect their jobs and eliminate the excesses that are harming both the industry and the country.
Deputy Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakari supported the Deputy Lands Minister’s statement, emphasizing that the Ministry’s efforts would create jobs for youth in the mining sector and promote knowledge transfer. She also highlighted that the Community Mining scheme would benefit many people in various communities.