Mining policy review: Minerals Commission concludes final consultation with Tarkwa small-scale miners
By DL News
Published
2 min read
The engagement marked the final leg of a nationwide consultation process that previously included regional meetings in Koforidua, Kumasi, and Tamale, as well as prior sessions with civil society organizations, academia, and the National Dev...
As part of ongoing efforts to review Ghana’s Mining Policy and amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the Minerals Commission’s Review Committee has completed its final public consultation session with members of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) in Tarkwa, Western Region.
The session, held at the Golden Gift Hotel, brought together small-scale miners from the Central, Western, and Western North Regions and was chaired by Mr. Isaac Andrews Tandoh, Deputy CEO in charge of Small-Scale and Industrial Minerals.
The engagement marked the final leg of a nationwide consultation process that previously included regional meetings in Koforidua, Kumasi, and Tamale, as well as prior sessions with civil society organizations, academia, and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in Accra.
Two key presentations were delivered during the Tarkwa engagement. Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Chairman of the Policy Review Committee and former CEO of the Minerals Commission, presented a draft review of the 2014 Mining Policy. Mr. Josef Iroko, Manager of Legal at the Commission, outlined proposed amendments to Act 703.
Miners voiced several concerns and recommendations, including the need for the Commission to:
Adhere strictly to timelines for processing mining licences;
Maintain a one-year validity period for Support Service licences from the date of issuance;
Limit the role of traditional authorities in the licensing process to consultation only;
Institute measures to prevent the collection of unapproved fees by some chiefs from mineral right holders.
These inputs were acknowledged by the Review Committee and will be considered in the policy revision process.
In his remarks, Prof. Jerry Samuel Yaw Kuma, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, emphasized government’s commitment to deeper engagement with traditional authorities in the licensing process. He also highlighted the proposed introduction of Cooperative Mining as a strategy to promote community participation and curb illegal mining activities.
Prof. Kuma and Mr. Tandoh both encouraged GNASSM members to present well-documented proposals to the Review Committee within two weeks. They urged miners to take advantage of government interventions designed to enhance the growth of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
The session was attended by other key officials from the Commission and the Ministry, including Mr. Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah (Deputy CEO, Support Services), Mr. Nelson Ahedor (Director, Small Scale & Industrial Minerals), Dr. Ahmed Tijani (Head of Corporate Affairs & IT), Mr. Eric Emmanuel Bukari (Manager, Small Scale & Industrial Minerals), and Mr. Kwame Ahumah (Ag. Head of Mines, Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources).
