Mining companies have resolved to deepen their partnership with government in the coming year to have their concerns addressed.
The Chamber of Mines says this will also ensure that government continues to create a conducive environment for mining companies to operate, while they also fulfill their obligations to the state.
Among some of the concerns of mining companies over the years are the high taxes on the importation of mining inputs as well as exploration, and the poor security for miners which has resulted in attacks on mine workers.
The mining industry contributes about 13% to the country’s GDP.
Speaking to Citi Business News at the sidelines of the 5th Mining and Industry Awards, organized by the Chamber of Mines, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Sulemana Koney, said although mining companies work closely with government, there is the need to strengthen that relationship in order to grow that sector.
“In any case, the mining investors came in under certain terms and conditions. Provided these are respected then your expectation is that there should be harmony and collaboration so that effectively we should be the hub of goods, services, suppliers and provision to West Africa and the rest of Africa”.
He added that “we are working well with government, but we need to deepen that to come to that stage where we see each other as partners with our interest tied together because if industry succeeds, then government also succeeds”.
Meanwhile, the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, has announced various measures to grow the Mining Industry.
Speaking at tree event, Benito Owusu Bio, a Deputy Minister at the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, said government is committed to creating the right environment for mining companies to operate.
“The government is not relenting on its agenda to use mining as a catalyst for the industrial transformation of the country with key policies focused on resource-based industrial value addition, local content linkages and development, and also mining community development schemes in collaboration with the Minerals development fund, among others.”
He however charged mining companies to ensure that they practice sustainable and responsible mining, saying ” for an industry that relies heavily on the expertise of people and the efficiency of technology, there is no room for compromise in our quest to reach the heights of sustainable and responsible mining”.
Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd was adjudged the Mining Company of the Year for the second consecutive time, while the Mining Personality of the year went to Alfred Baku of Goldfields Limited.
Below is a list of all award winners and honorees at the 5th Ghana Mining Industry Awards held on Friday, 29th November, 2019.
MINING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
-ASANKO GOLD GHANA LTD
MINING PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD)
-ALFRED BAKU
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
-ANTHONY NANA ANDOH
HONORARY AWARDS
-MR. MICHAEL TETE KOFI, FORMER PRINCIPAL OF UMAT
-MR. STEPHEN PIEDU, FORMER CHIEF INSPECTOR OF MINES
-MR. DANIEL AMLALO, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EPA
FEMALE MINER OF THE YEAR
-WINNER: MARIAN BOATEMAA
-RUNNER-UP: SHIRLEY OTENG SEIFAH
BEST PERFORMER IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
-NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE- AKYEM MINE & PERSEUS MINING (GHANA) LIMITED
BEST PERFORMER IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
-WINNER:-GOLDEN STAR WASSA LIMITED
-RUNNER-UP: NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE- AKYEM MINE
BEST PERFORMER IN LOCAL CONTENT
-WINNER: ADAMUS RESOURCES LIMITED
-RUNNER-UP: CHIRANO GOLD MINES
BEST PERFORMER IN LOCAL MANUFACTURING OF MINE INPUTS
-WINNER: INTERPLAST GHANA LIMITED
-RUNNER-UP: CARMEUSE LINE PRODUCT
BEST PERFORMER IN MINE SUPPLIES & SERVICES
-WINNER: PW GHANA LIMITED
-RUNNER-UP: ZEN PETROLEUM
BEST PERFORMER IN CONTRACT MINING
-PW MINING INTERNATIONAL (GH) LMTD & MAXMASS LIMITED
FINANCIAL DEAL OF THE YEAR
-ECOBANK GHANA LIMITED & GOLDEN STAR WASSA LTD
MINE COMMUNITY SAFETY BRIGADE OF THE YEAR
-NEWMONT GOLDEN RIDGE- AKYEM MINE
BEST MINING REPORTER
-WINNER: LATIF IDDRISU
-RUNNER-UP: KWAKU OWUSU PEPRAH
BEST PERFORMER IN INNOVATION
-WINNER: GOLD FIELDS GHANA LIMITED- TARKWA MINE
-RUNNER-UP: ASANKO GOLD GHANA LTD
CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT (CSI) PROJECT OF THE YEAR
-WINNER: ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI OBUASI
-RUNNER-UP: GOLDEN STAR BOGOSO PRESTEA LTD
BEST GRADUATE RESEARCH (UMAT)
-HUDSON BREW BOAHENE
BEST PERFORMER IN EXPLORATION
-WINNER: ASANKO GOLD GHANA LTD
-RUNNER-UP: AZUMAH RESOURCES LTD
BEST MINING STUDENT OF UMAT (MALE)
-SAMUEL EDEM KODZO TETTEH
BEST MINING STUDENT OF UMAT (FEMALE)
-GErTRUDE ACQUAH
BEST ESSAY IN INTER-MINES FIRST AID & SAFETY COMPETITION
-WINNER:- MISS BARBARA ANOKYE
-1ST RUNNER-UP: MASTER EBENEZER ARTHUR
-2ND RUNNER-UP: MASTER EMMANUEL KYEI ASAAH
