<<Print>>

A KUMASI-based Mineral Expert, Mr. Francis Owusu has suggested that the streamlining of the operations of Small Scale mining in the country can go a long way to help solve the economic conundrum confronting government. According to him, small scale mining has the potential of alleviating poverty and also providing solutions to the country�s socio-economic difficulties, if government can adopt and develop the sector into the main stream mining activities. Mr. Owusu indicated that the Mining industry in Ghana contributes 5% of the country�s GDP, with small scale mining contributing 34% (1.4 ounces) of total exports of gold for the 2012/2013, according to figures provided by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC). The statistics further indicate that an estimated one million people were also directly involved in small scale mining in Ghana as at 2012. Speaking to The Chronicle in an interview in Kumasi, Mr. Owusu said encouraging and facilitating orderly and efficient development of the sector can provide additional or alternative livelihoods in rural areas and foster development of Ghanaian mining skills, entrepreneurship and capital. Mr. Owusu is, therefore, proposing the establishment of a permanent five member committee in all mining districts/communities, comprising District Environment Office, District Engineering Department, Account�s Office, District Security and a Mineral�s Office, to oversee the operations and regulations of all small scale mining in those areas. According to him, people could be employed full time to engage in the mining through some arrangements so that the districts can obtain a share of the proceeds to bolster their revenue generations. In ensuring proper use of the resources, Mr. Owusu also recommended amongst other things, the building of the capacities of local government representatives and civil society to manage and monitor increased revenues from mining, as well as the environmental and social dimensions of mineral development. �Managing fiscal revenues from the mining sector to enhance their contribution to sustainable development in regions affected by mining activities and improving the design and efficiency of mining fiscal regimes would be necessary to ensure the country gain adequately from our own mineral resources,� he emphasized.