George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, opened the Amenfi Central District Mining Committee in the Western Region on Friday, March 18, 2022.
Mr Mireku Duker, in his inaugural address, underlined the importance of having a well-regulated and responsible mining strategy in each district for the mining sector.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he said, has stated on multiple occasions that his government is not opposed to mining, but rather supports responsible mining.
“We trust that by putting you in this position, you will work diligently to improve Small Scale Mining in this district.”
The Deputy Minister charged the District Mining Committee to sensitize the communities that make up the district on the need to comply with the norms relating to mining.
“We have said that we want to preserve and reserve the Small Scale mining sector for Ghanaians. We don’t want foreign nationals to be participating in the Small Scale Mining sector as stipulated in the Act governing Mining in Ghana.
He reiterated the need to use the proceeds of our gold to develop the nation by building local champions within the industry.
“As a Ministry we are playing our role by making sure we equip Ghanaians with facilities from the banks to enable operators buy their own mining machines and not depend on foreign nationals for capital injunctions into the industry”, he said.
“As I speak with you we have been able to negotiate with a bank that is ready to assist Small Scale Mining with 25 million dollars to have their own capital to start their ventures”
The Deputy Minister further discouraged the use of Mercury in the system and added that the Ministry, following a directive by the President has procured 100 Mercury free machines that will be used in processing gold. This will soon be commissioned by H.E. the President.
Hon. Mireku Duker indicated that the Committee members will be invited for a capacity building training to enable them work hard for the people of the district and the nation at large.
The District Chief Executive of Amenfi Central, Hon. Patrick Huckson Amponteng expressed his appreciation to the Deputy Minister and assured him that they will do their best to deliver and also work closely with the Minerals Commission to achieve their set goals.
