The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining, George Mireku Duker, says the government is looking beyond the industry’s fiscal benefits to foster extractives.
“Thus the minerals and mining, oil and gas industries being integrated with the rest of the other sectors of the economy to ensure Ghana’s accelerated economic development,” he added.
Mr Duker was speaking on “Enhancing the Sustainability of the Mining Industry in Ghana through Legislation and Transparency,” in Accra on Tuesday at the 5th edition of the West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (WAIMM) Annual Industry Conference 2023.
The two-day West African Mining, Oil and Gas Conference (WAIC) was held on the theme “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Natural Resources Industry beyond Global Pandemic.”
Mr Duker noted that the country’s Minerals and Mining Policy was aimed at ensuring that mining contributed to sustainable development, as such, the guiding principles of the policy while ensuring compliance with the requisite ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) requirements, sought the pursuit of optimal benefits for all stakeholders.
He said it was for that reason the government had adopted several measures and initiatives including the diversification of the mineral production base; reducing the cost of business; good governance; local content; role of investment promotion drives as well as minerals development and future prospects.
Mr Duker said the government was encouraging investment into minerals other than the traditional minerals of gold, diamond, bauxite and manganese.
“Presently, given the level of knowledge of their potential, the country’s bauxite and iron ore resources are the focus for developing an integrated Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminum project; and an integrated Iron and Steel project, respectively,” he added.
Hence, the Deputy Sector Minister emphasised that it was critical for stakeholders in the resource sector to exchange experiences, create various platforms or use existing ones to work together to ensure that mining was done in a responsible and sustainable manner.
“And the requisite benefits accrued to meet sustainable development objectives and consequently, aiming at achieving as many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as possible,” he added.
The Executive Secretary, WAIMM, Lawrence Omari-Mensah, said the conference would provide an excellent opportunity for networking, high-end industry solutions, latest development industry practices and operations, technological and technical recommendations to solve industry challenges, and knowledge sharing with experts and both local and international consultants.
“The mission of the WAIC is to provide higher professionalism in mining, petroleum, technology, and related disciplines; to promote knowledge transfer, skillset, and technical excellence through very well-researched and practical key presentations. The WAIC also focuses on creating opportunities for both local, regional and international networking experiences,” he added.
BY ABIGAIL ARTHUR
