Zambia delegation in Ghana to understudy small scale mining sector
The delegation is being led by the Zambian Minister for Mines and Minerals Development, Paul C. Kabuswe
A six-member Zambian delegation is currently in the country to understudy Ghana’s mining sector with a special focus on small scale mining.
The delegation is being led by the Zambian Minister for Mines and Minerals Development, Paul C. Kabuswe on Wednesday, 6 July, visited the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to familiarise themselves with operations at the Ministry.
Speaking at a brief meeting, Kabuswe said the visit to Ghana was to basically study Ghana’s small scale mining sector, exchange ideas and to learn best practices in the Ghanaian mining space.
He noted that for Africa to thrive and prosper in it’s own efforts and resources, there must be strong and closer collaborations among African countries.
“We need to collaborate and share ideas to help harness our resources as Africans and liberate ourselves economically because we are not yet economically powerful as a continent and as such, I believe it is time to it together and exchange views and not to stay aloof”
He disclosed that Zambia has recently discovered gold and wants to embark on a very robust minerals exploration to ensure the mineral does not end up in wrong hands, adding that the country is mapping up the entire Zambia to among others help understand the extent of mineralisation within the country.
Kabuswe said Zambia is working to clean up its license system
“Mining starts at licensing stage and if you don’t get it right from the beginning you miss the point and therefore you must get it right from the beginning,” he said.
He said to ensure an all inclusive system, they have set themselves on a part to reorganise the Mining sector of Zambia with a new Mining policy framework to ensure this is strongly in place.
Kabuswe strongly touted that they believe Africa has the human resources to achieve whatever goal they set to achieve.
George Mireku Duker, deputy minister of Lands and Natural Resources on his part, updated the delegation on Ghana’s efforts to improve on the Mining sector through its regulatory framework and decentralisation.
He said he is happy that Zambia has shown interest in Ghana’s Mining sector, disclosing that up to 500 companies have also shown their interest in the exploration of same and also harness opportunities in the country.
On value addition, Duker said the Government through the Ministry has set up agencies like GISDEC and GIADEC to promote and develop an integrated bauxite, aluminium, Iron and steel industry in Ghana.
The deputy minister said as part of Ghana’s contribution to the Minamata Convention, government has procured Mercury-free Mining equipment which efficiently recovers more Gold for artisanal and small scale miners and also encourage responsible mining in the country.
The delegation also paid a similar visit to the Mining regulator in Ghana, Minerals Commission and to Precious Minerals and Marketing Company which among others promotes the development of precious minerals and jewellery in Ghana.
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
99.5 in Accra, 101.5 in Bawku, 99.9 in Bimbilla, 100.3 in Cape Coast, 90.7 in Ho, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 89.5 in Tarkwa and 106.9 in Walewale
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
