Adankwame Community Mining Scheme Launched, 2000 Direct Jobs To Be Created
Over 2000 residents of Adankwame and its surrounding communities in the Antwima Nwabiagya South District in the Ashanti Region are set to benefit directly from the creation of a Community Mining Scheme.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. George Mireku Duker at the inauguration of the Adankwame Community Mining Scheme on Thursday, June 30, 2022.
Hon. George Mireku Duker in an address stated that the Adankwame Community Mining Scheme covers 500 acres of land and will engineer growth and development in the community and adjourning towns.
He indicated that the Community Mining Scheme (CMS) is part of the small-scale mining structures which has been tailored for Ghanaians only.
He added that under Ghana’s Mining laws only Ghanaians are entitled to partake in small-scale mining and that government has taken the initiative to ensure that, the sector serves as platform for the empowerment of Ghanaian investors in the mining sector.
The Deputy Minister stated government as the custodian of lands and natural resources has outlined process and conditions under which one can obtain license to undertake any mining activity and that anyone found to have acted in contravention of the law will be dealt with accordingly.
He noted that experts from the University of Mines and Technology will be deployed to provide routine training for the management of the scheme adding that government in collaboration with the World Bank have made some funds available for the training of industry players to ensure that responsible mining methods are adhered to.
He cautioned that government has not reneged on its crackdown on illlegal mining and that people should stop using harmful chemicals like mercury and equipment for mining activities.
Hon. Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, Member of Parliament for Atwima- Nwabiagya South bemoaned the illegal mining activities in the area and charged the chiefs and youth to stop engaging in such activities.
He asserted that the CMS has come to replace the galamsey and that it is high time they join forces with government to protect the environment.
He urged them to think carefully about the devastating impact of galamsey on the community and its threat to the future of the community and the country at large.
The Chief of the area, Nana Kwame Kantanka, Akroponghene commended government and assured that his community will support the project to achieve the intended result.
