We are committed to responsible mining-Chairman, Small Scale Miners

Chairman of Small Scale Miners, Mr. Godwin Amah has hinted that the introduction of the Small Scale Miners Award showed the recognition given to their contribution to national development.

According to him, the award would encourage players in the small-scale sector to mine responsibly. Speaking at the launch of this year's Ghana National Small Scale Award lunch.

"Honourable Minister, anytime people hear the narrative about small-scale mining, what comes to the minds of many people is the destruction of the environment and pollution of water bodies.

But this award is changing the narratives to let people understand that Small Scale mining is not galamsey and is recognized under the minerals and mining act", he stated. He acknowledged that ongoing programs which include the implementation of the minerals cadastral and administration system(MCAS) have reduced the constraints and time in the acquisition of small-scale miners' licenses.

He added that prospection by the minerals commission(MC) to find suitable areas for small-scale miners to mine to avoid errors in the line of operations was commendable. But he cautioned that when the areas are proposed, there should be transparency in allocation to avoid any misunderstanding.

"At our mines week celebration, we mentioned that we will adopt the Brim River and ensure that by our next celebration of the small scale miners' week in June 2023, the turbidity level of the Brim River will be reduced to the barest minimum and we are going to keep our promise", he affirmed. Report by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor