Gov’t adopts new technology to tackle gold smuggling – Deputy Lands Minister

The Minerals Commission has developed a system to trace all gold mined in Ghana and exported, Hon. George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resource has disclosed.

Hon.Mireku Duker made the disclosure on Friday 18th February, 2022 during the inauguration of the Tarkwa Nsuaem District Mining committee held in Tarkwa of the Western Region.

Speaking on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Mireku Duker stated that a traceability system has been put in place by the Minerals Commission to help stop the smuggling of gold by miners to neighbouring countries.

He noted that the new system is part of best practices aimed at curbing gold smuggling and securing the nation’s interest in the mining sector.

Hon. Duker said the Precious Mineral Marketing Company is the only firm mandated by law to assay gold and that anyone found to have circumvent the laid down protocols will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

He said the main mandate of the District Mining committee is to ensure that Mining is done responsibly and in accordance with the Minamata Convention.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, he espoused is an International treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compound.

The Deputy Minister charged the committee to ensure that Mining in the communities are made attractive to local investors thereby creating multinational companies out of the community Mining.

Hon Duker who doubles as the MP for Tarkwa Nsuaem also appealed to large scale mining companies to cede part of their concessions to the communities for community mining.

The MCE for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Hon. Benjamin Kesse said the committee will work closely with the Ministry to engage the large-scale mining companies to cede off part of their concessions for the community mining programme for the larger benefits of the locals.

He welcomed the challenge handed them as a committee and promised to discharge their duties with perfection.

Source : PR UNIT MLNR