Mr George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has commended the University for Mines and Technology (UMaT) for contributing immensely towards the human resource development of Ghana’s Mining sector.
He said that several research papers by both lecturers and students from the university had led to the growth and discovery of mining innovations.
He added that the African mining industry could boast of seasoned professionals who are managing affairs in both operational and policy sectors.
Mr Duker stated in a paper presented at the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Alumini Conference at Tarkwa and made available to the Ghana News Agency in Tema.
The Deputy Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to building a vibrant mining sector.
“Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has undertaken lots of activities and deployment of some mining technology and innovation in order to fight against illegal mining, ensure responsible and sustainable mining and create value along the entire mining industry,” he said.
He also mentioned that the Government since 2021, had declared river bodies as Red Zones for mining, and suspended all reconnaissance, prospecting, and/or exploration activities in forest reserves.
Mr Duker said the sector Ministry had embarked on Community Sensitization on Sustainable and Responsible Mining Programme in mining districts across the country.
“We believe creating awareness on the impact of illegal and indiscriminate mining at the grassroots and conscientizing them to own the fight against illegal mining in all forms must be paramount,” he said.
“We have also embarked on organization of consultative dialogues on small-scale mining, engagement with Council of State, House of Chiefs, Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners and with REGSECs and UMaT, towards building a more consensus approach in the fight against illegal mining.”
Mr Duker applauded DAAD, for sponsoring and creating an enabling environment for Ghanaians and African students in pursuit of their education.
