MINING FIRMS URGED TO INVOLVE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS
Story: Jasmine Arku & Linden Morris
THE Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Mike Hammah, has called on mining companies to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to take part in the value chain in the private sector.
He said although mining companies were not compelled to do so, there was the need for them to show interest and consider proposals submitted by local entrepreneurs.
Mr Hammah made the call when the newly appointed Senior Vice-President of AngloGold Ashanti, Ghana, Mr Peter Anderton, paid a courtesy call to him at the ministry.
He added that the government was considering a review of the mining policy which would define the responsibilities of mining companies to the communities in order to support their development.
He congratulated AngloGold Ashanti on upholding policy guidelines and its responsibilities to the development and maintenance of mining communities.
Mr Hammah said the mining sector played an important role in growing the country’s economy, adding that there was a stable labour force committed to moving the industry forward.
According to him, one of the challenges facing the industry was the inability of the government’s policy directive to be successful, thereby making it difficult for the private sector to be fully involved in the mining sector.
He, therefore, called for a paradigm shift where there would be organised interventions in order to reap maximum benefits from the sector.
Mr Anderton said the company's main task was to rejuvenate the Obuasi Mine and address all other issues associated with mining, such as the restoration of mined lands.
He said much was being invested to overhaul the mine and turn it from an "old mine" into a "new mine”.
He added that the company was committed to improving technology and expanding its operations.
Mr Anderton revealed that presently, AngloGold Ashanti, which produced about 200,000 ounces of gold per annum, was in the process of building a new plant within the next two years and expressed the hope that the new mine would increase the company’s gold production.
THE Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Mike Hammah, has called on mining companies to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to take part in the value chain in the private sector.
He said although mining companies were not compelled to do so, there was the need for them to show interest and consider proposals submitted by local entrepreneurs.
Mr Hammah made the call when the newly appointed Senior Vice-President of AngloGold Ashanti, Ghana, Mr Peter Anderton, paid a courtesy call to him at the ministry.
He added that the government was considering a review of the mining policy which would define the responsibilities of mining companies to the communities in order to support their development.
He congratulated AngloGold Ashanti on upholding policy guidelines and its responsibilities to the development and maintenance of mining communities.
Mr Hammah said the mining sector played an important role in growing the country’s economy, adding that there was a stable labour force committed to moving the industry forward.
According to him, one of the challenges facing the industry was the inability of the government’s policy directive to be successful, thereby making it difficult for the private sector to be fully involved in the mining sector.
He, therefore, called for a paradigm shift where there would be organised interventions in order to reap maximum benefits from the sector.
Mr Anderton said the company's main task was to rejuvenate the Obuasi Mine and address all other issues associated with mining, such as the restoration of mined lands.
He said much was being invested to overhaul the mine and turn it from an "old mine" into a "new mine”.
He added that the company was committed to improving technology and expanding its operations.
Mr Anderton revealed that presently, AngloGold Ashanti, which produced about 200,000 ounces of gold per annum, was in the process of building a new plant within the next two years and expressed the hope that the new mine would increase the company’s gold production.
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