GENERAL

Asunafo community mining scheme inaugurated
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Mr. George Mireku Duker has inaugurated the Asunafo Community Mining Scheme in the Atiwa West District in the Eastern Region.

Date Created : 7/19/2022 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Story by Susana Danso/Ghanadistricts.com

The community mining scheme policy introduced by the government seeks to among other things give
form and structure to small-scale mining, improve and promote responsible and sustainable mining in
the Country.

Mr. Duker speaking at the inaugural ceremony tasked the management and staff of the scheme to
strictly adhere to the safety practices and standard operational procedures as outlined by the Minerals
and Mining Regulations, 2012L. I.2182 and the Small-Scale and Community Mining Operational Manual.

He further cautioned management not to engage foreign nationals in any circumstance since small -
scale is for Ghanaians only as established by section 83 of the Minerals and Mining Act,2006, Act703,
adding that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo led government is not against mining, but rather the
illegal and unregulated form of mining.

The deputy minister on behalf of the government presented one (1) Mercury-Free Gold Processing
Equipment to the Asunafo Community Mining Scheme for their ore processing in order to limit the
environmental hazards.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong on his part admonished the traditional
leaders to embrace and support the community mining scheme policy introduced by the government
since it has the remedy to transform the small-scale mining industry without causing any major
destruction to the environment.

Mr. Seth Asante the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atiwa West District expressed his gratitude to the
President H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo for the community mining scheme in the district.
He said the district over the past few years has been subjected to the negative impact of unregulated
small-scale and illegal mining activities such as destruction of food and cash crops, land degradation,
polluted rivers and poverty.