Hon. Duker Engages Small-Scale Miners, Reiterates Government’s Commitment to Responsible Mining
In a significant move to promote responsible mining and job creation, Hon. George Mireku Duker, Deputy Lands Minister, met with thousands of small-scale miners in Tarkwa and Subin Afiafiso communities on October 7, 2024. The engagement aimed to reaffirm the government’s dedication to environmentally friendly and sustainable mining practices.
Government’s Commitment to Responsible Mining
Hon. Duker emphasized that the government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is committed to promoting responsible mining. This commitment includes:
- Establishing a Minerals Development Bank to aid miners
- Investing in geological investigations to make areas available for small-scale mining
- Fashioning out a comprehensive plan to tackle environmental impacts of mining ¹
Protecting Water Bodies and Responsible Mining
Hon. Duker assured the miners that the government will not ban responsible small-scale mining but instead deepen efforts to protect water bodies and promote responsible mining practices. This assurance is in line with the government’s procurement of mercury-free gold processing equipment to safeguard the environment and miners’ health [2).
Community Mining Schemes
The miners expressed enthusiasm for community mining schemes, which have already seen success in some areas. The government has rolled out six community mining schemes, creating 31,300 direct and indirect jobs ¹. Hon. Duker encouraged the miners to support Dr. Bawumia’s mining policies, which prioritize responsible mining and environmental protection.
Miners’ Support for Dr. Bawumia and NPP
The miners pledged their support for Dr. Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, recognizing the government’s efforts to promote responsible mining and job creation.
The engagement underscores the government’s commitment to working with small-scale miners to promote sustainable mining practices and economic growth.
