Ghana launches program to formalize small-scale mining
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
The government of Ghana began the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in the Ahanta West and Mpohor Fiase areas of the Western Region to bring order to small-scale mining.
Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, explained the program aims to formalize mining operations, protect the environment, and ensure local communities receive benefits from mineral resources. The rCOMSDEP will provide a formal pathway for small-scale miners to operate legally.
The government plans to work with the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to register and certify mining groups and cooperatives, giving them regulatory support that will last beyond changes in government. Sulemana encouraged mining cooperatives to hire locally and share the profits with residents. Sulemana also stressed the importance of using modern mineral-processing technologies to reduce the use of dangerous chemicals like mercury and cyanide.
He stated that these technologies could both improve gold recovery and lessen harm to the environment, including rivers and farmland. The rCOMSDEP National Coordinator, Sheihu Sidiqq, acknowledged the damage caused by illegal mining to Ghana’s land and water, while also recognizing the importance of small-scale mining for many families. The government intends to extend the program to Nzema East in the Western Region, continuing its efforts to formalize small-scale mining and encourage responsible environmental practices.
