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The government as part of its indefatigable effort in sanitizing the small scale mining sector has commissioned a Mercury-free alluvial processing technology to rid the Artisanal small scale mining sector of mercury. It was commissioned today, 28th May 2021.
The Commodity Monitor Technology will help prevent pollution and contamination of river bodies with chemicals, among others.
The Deputy Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. George Mireku Duker launched the processing machine on behalf of the sector Minister.
The Deputy Minister stated that the government will support the youth through PMMC to acquire the machine and help sanitize the small scale mining sector. He added that the machine can improve efficiency and recover more than 90% of gold.
Artisanal and small-scale mining has a long history in Ghana. It was only in 1989, however, that government recognized its legitimacy through the Small-scale Mining Act (PNDCL 218), later integrated into the current Mining Act 703 (2006). The act provides a blueprint for its formalisation. It also reserves small-scale mining for Ghanaians. The law requires prospective local miners to apply for a licence to mine up to 25 acres of land in designated areas.
Government’s intention to formalize the sector has had very little success. More than 85% of all small-scale mining operations in Ghana are carried out by unlicensed operators (Richard Kwaku Kumah, April 2021)
