Government has so far launched 55 community mining projects across 5 regions.
The areas include; Abosso in Western Region (3 licences), Nsiana, Manso Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region (22 licences), Tinga in the Savannah Region (6 licences), Akoase in the Eastern Region (17 licenses), and Mempehia in Ahafo Region (7 licences).
The Community Mining Project is a novel mining model introduced by the Akufo Addo government to address some of the underlying causes of illegal mining (galamsey), within the mining communities throughout the country.
The scheme is an adaptation of small-scale mining as provided for under (sections 81-99) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
It is yet another innovative policy initiated under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration which is aimed at providing members of mining communities the opportunity to engage in lawful and meaningful mining ventures and ensure sustainable livelihoods for the beneficiaries of the Scheme.
As provided for within small scale mining, the scheme is reserved for only Ghanaian citizens but with an emphasis on host mining communities.
During the launch at of one the projects at the Nsiana township of the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region on June 3, 2020, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said, “the scheme has the capacity to create meaningful employment (for large numbers) in the rural and host communities across the mining areas.”
Outlining some of the impacts of the projects, Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh added, “Sixteen thousand (16,000) jobs will be directly created by the scheme and its multiplier effects could be phenomenal. This aligns with the government’s agenda of job creation.”
He said the scheme will stimulate wealth creation and improve the local economy.
“It will further enable community involvement in mining in answer to the legitimate desire (push) by host communities to participate in the mining industry value chain. The scheme will create horizontal, vertical as well as other linkages with the other sectors of the economy,” the Minister added.
To ensure sustainability of the Community Mining Project the Minister said the following key strategies have been infused into the Community Mining Scheme:
• Formation of a Community Mining Oversight Committees;
• Adoption of the Small-Scale Miners Code of Practice; and
• Provision of support services to the community miners.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh encouraged benefactors of the project to help make the Community Mining Scheme work effectively for the benefit of Ghana and for the people in the community where mining value is generated.
Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh also assured beneficiaries that his Ministry is committed to working with all stakeholders in the mining industry to ensure that the minerals that God has blessed this country with are efficiently exploited and managed for the benefit of all citizens.