Let’s create robust mining sector — Minister

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, has called on players in the mining industry to work with the government to make the mining sector robust to stimulate sustainable growth.

He said maximising the gains in the sector required that local content was given priority and value added to the products to transform the economy and facilitate development.

"The government's policies on mining lies within the framework of the Africa Mining Vision, which champions local content and promotes linkages in development and needs the support of all stakeholders," he said.

Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh made the assertion at the 6th Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA) held in Accra last Friday.

The awards event was organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was held to reward excellence in the mining sector.

Award winners

AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine emerged the 2019 Mining Company of the Year for its outstanding performance in environmental management, corporate social investment, occupational health and safety, mining innovation and fiscal contributions.

The General Manager of Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, Mr. Stephen Osei-Bempah, received the 2019 Mining Personality of the Year, while the Metallurgical Manager of Abosso Goldfields Ltd, Mrs. Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, beat nine others to receive the 2019 Female Mining Professional of Year Award.

A journalist with the Daily Graphic, Mr. Timothy Ngnenbe, received the award for the Best Mining Reporter of the Year (print) while the broadcast category went to GTV's Sani Abdul-Rahman.

Other winners

Other winners on the night were Newmont Ghana, Golden Star Resources and Gold Fields Ghana.

Newmont Ghana’s Ahafo and Akyem mines were winner and runner-up respectively in the Best Performer in Environmental Management category.

Abosso Goldfields Limited Damang Mine bagged the awards for Corporate Social Investment and Innovation, while Golden Star Wassa Ltd won the Best Performer in Occupational Health and Safety and also won the Community Safety Brigade of the Year.

The Board Chairman of the EPA and former Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi, Mr. Kwesi Enyan, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the growth of mining in Ghana.

The Technical Advisor to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Benjamin Aryee, was among other persons who were presented with honorary awards for contributing variously to the mining sector.

Assurance

The President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Eric Asubonteng, commended mining companies for adhering to mining laws and putting in place safety measures, especially in the wake of the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease.

He called on the stakeholders in the sector to deepen collaboration and partnerships "to create shared values for investors, communities and the state."

Mr. Asubonteng assured the government that mining companies would continue to adopt novel ideas and best practices to promote the country’s economic growth.