Responsible Small-Scale Mining Awards 2022 edition launched

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor says government’s commitment and determination to rid the small-scale mining industry in the country of illegality is unwavering and on course to achieve results. 

According to him, small-scale mining or extractive industries of many countries across the world either the petrochemical or minerals industries, are always confronted with illegality problems owing to the monetary dealings which characterized its operations serving as a driving force.

“Yes, it is not going to be an event, it’s gonna be a process. There’ll be setbacks but what is absolutely undeniable and non-negotiable is our unflinching commitment and our tenacity to see to the conclusion of our efforts at regulating small-scale mining in our country”, he stressed.

Mr. Jinapor gave the assurance while delivering a statement at the launch of this year’s edition of the Responsible Small-Scale Mining Awards Scheme at the conference hall of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) on Friday September 9, 2022.

This year’s edition of the award seeks to recognize, reward and promote responsible small-scale mining in the country.

The 2022 edition of Responsible Small-Scale Mining award is slated for December 2022 at plush venue to be announced publicly soon.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor recounted several measures put in place by government to help reduce the menace of the illegal small-scale mining in the country.

Some of these measures he mentioned include the staging of National and Regional dialogs, meetings with the National Heads of Chiefs, the Operation Halt, reformative efforts government is making through community mining and the rolling out of alternative livelihood programs among others

He said despite all these measures, his outfit is not backing down on its actions but moving ahead with the bold step to also acknowledge and recognize small-scale miners hence the need to join forces with the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners which led to the introduction of the maiden award scheme last year.

The award scheme is an annual event which aims at acknowledging and rewarding small-scale miners for complying with regulatory and operational requirements as well as adhering to health, safety and environmental operating standards of mining.

The maiden took place last year at the posh Alisa Hotel with pomp and pageantry. It was graced by the Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia who served as the Special Guest of Honour including other government officials, traditional leaders, stakeholders in the industry and some crème de la crème of the society.

The 2021 edition saw the awardees honored under three awards categories such as the Best Small-Scale Miner, the Most Promising Small-Scale Miner and the Best District Officer of the Minerals Commission.

According to the Minister, this year’s awards categorization would include the Best Female Small Scale Miner, Best Male Small-Scale Miner, Best Small-Scale Miner in Environmental Stewardship, Best Small-Scale Miner in Corporate Social Responsibility, Best Exporter and Best Metropolitan Municipal or District Chief Executive and the Best Traditional Leader.

He explained the reason for adding other awards categories to the contest this year was to also recognize and reward key actors and stakeholders whose contributions are helping shape the small-scale mining industry.

“These are the key stakeholders, actors required to be able to build or construct a viable responsible small-scale mining industry. They play very important roles that’s why we broaden the award categorization and the number of people who are going to receive the award this year”, Mr. Jinapor posited.

While recounting some challenges being battled by government to help address issues of the small-scale mining sector, he lauded Mr. George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister in charge of mining for his “tireless efforts over the years in helping the MLNR come to the grips with the issues of small-scale mining”.

He equally lauded the President and the Executives of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners for their contributions which are helping the government and the MLNR to regulate small-scale mining in the country.

For his part, the President of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, Evangelist Collins Osei Kusi observed that the introduction of the award scheme would help clear negative perception attributed to the small-scale mining industry in the country.

While praising the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for initiative, he revealed that government’s posture demonstrates the importance it has attached to the small-scale mining sector and its contributions to the national development.

Source:Joseph Wemakor