The Annual AusIMM (Tarkwa Student’s Chapter) Conference was held at the University of Mines and Technology on September 17, 2016 to discuss challenges in Ghana's mining industry and how to achieve sustainable mining and economic development. Presentations were given by representatives from the minerals industry in Ghana and other countries. Issues discussed included mining regulations, the state of Ghana's mining sector, sustainable small-scale mining, and resource management. The keynote speaker from Oman outlined how its mining industry developed and suggested Ghana could adopt a similar regulatory model. Small-scale mining challenges were also addressed, with proposals to establish centralized processing plants and a dedicated funding mechanism. The conference concluded with calls to implement practical solutions from the discussions to advance

1. By NELSON K. DUMAKOR-DUPEY
(TARKWA DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE OF AMN)
The Annual AusIMM (Tarkwa Student’s Chapter)
Conference, on “Sustainable Mining and Economic
Development in Ghana”, was held at the University of
Mines and Technology (UMaT) on 17th September,
2016. The conference featured presentations from
 Mr. Henry Antwi (Head, Mining & Minerals
Oman Oil Company, Oman),
 Dr. Toni Aubynn
(CEO, Minerals Commission, Ghana),
 Mr. Sulemana Koney
(CEO, Chamber of Mines, Ghana),
 Hon. Jacob Osei Yeboah
(Director, Vitalsource Ltd, Ghana),
 Dr. Peter Amponsah-Mensah
(Director, Pamicor Mining Services, Ghana),
 Ms Adwoa Boaduo
(Mining Engineer, South Africa) and
 Ruth Menz
(Mining Engineer, WIM-Ghana).
The presentations and ensuing discussions relevant to
the Ghanaian mining industry, sought to address
challenges confronting the industry. Issues such as
mining regulations, state of the Ghanaian mining
industry, sustainable small-scale mining, and resource
management, among others were discussed.
Presenting the key note address, Mr Henry Antwi
outlined how Oman developed its extractive industry
starting with a one-stop-shop minerals administrative
commission, responsible for all minerals/mining
related issues including licensing, exploration,
regulations, monitoring, etc. He also demonstrated
how Ghana could adopt Oman’s model to develop a
comprehensive mining industry with downstream
value addition.
Hon. Jacob Osei Yeboah enumerated two measures to
help improve the small-scale mining sector
1. “one small-scale site, one processing plant”.
Mr Yeboah is of the view that government
and other stakeholders should make available
a centralised processing plant to small-scale
miners. This he said, could mitigate issues of
mercury pollution, health hazards, etc.
2. “small-scale mining fund to ease access to
funds by small-scale miners” Mr Yeboah said,
government should establish a fund solely for
the development of the small-scale sector.
In the final analysis, Mr. Henry Antwi offered to
engage students in the country to do technical and
commercial gap analysis on small scale mines, help
close some of these gaps, before the potential funders
can come in and do their due diligence.
In all, it was a well-organized programme and offered
opportunity to network with the distinguished
speakers and other accomplished personalities. These
types of initiatives should be encouraged, but the
discussions must not end after the conference. Effort
should be made to implement some of the ideas
presented. The AMN Tarkwa District Representative,
Mr. Nelson K. Dumakor-Dupey, strongly suggests that
The Accra Mining Network considers further studies
into the case presented for Oman with the aim of
acquiring relevant information to champion
implementation efforts in Ghana.
AN AMN REPORT
SUSTAINABLE MINING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA CONFERENCE
(SEPTEMBER, 2016)
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A team of the presenter: R-L Dr. Toni Aubynn, Mr. Henry Antwi
and Mr. Sulemana Koney
Mr. Henry Antwi presenting his keynote address