Joshua Mortoti (left) presenting the Mining Personality of the Year Award to Daniel Egya-Mensah
THE GHANA Chamber of Mines has held the eighth edition of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA) to reward individuals and companies that excelled in promoting sustainable and responsible mining in Ghana in 2021.
The awards night saw 25 individuals and companies awarded in various categories such as Best Performer in Environmental Management, Best Green Mine, Best Performer in Occupational Health and Safety and Best Performer in Innovation, among others.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, president of the Chamber, Joshua Mortoti, reiterated the Chamber’s commitment “to supporting government to address current economic challenges. We believe that together, government and industry can collaborate to develop a more sustainable and economically viable mining sector.”
Mr. Mortoti noted that the government has an important part to play in creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and added that “When businesses thrive, communities, citizens, and the country at large, thrive.”
According to the President of the Chamber, the mining sector had consistently played a vital role in the sustenance of Ghana’s economy through initiatives such as the “Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and the Forex Sales Programme to support the government in these critical times.”
“Let me reassure you that the Chamber and its members will continue to support government, but it is our expectation that more clarity will be provided for the Chamber and its members to continue to support government’s initiatives in the short to medium term and the cardinal aim of maintaining the viability of the mines is not compromised,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Sulemanu Koney, on his part, thanked the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, for his ministry’s unflinching support for the industry. He also commended the Environmental Protection Agency and Minerals Commission for their cooperation in the year.
Mr. Koney stated that “the level of cooperation the Chamber has and continues to have from the Minerals Commission, the EPA and the Bank of Ghana is worthy of note. We appreciate you all as well as many others whose role has facilitated the work of the Chamber over the past year.”
A Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, speaking on behalf of the Minister, called on stakeholders to help address the menace of illegal mining, also known as galamsey in the country.
Mr. Duker said government was committed to creating a congenial environment for mining firms to thrive.
Winners
The winners at the awards night were Mining Company of the Year – Asanko Ghana Gold Ltd; Mining Personality of the Year (The President’s Award) – Daniel Egya-Mensah; Female Miner of the Year Technical – Shirley Oteng-Seifah; Female Miner of the Year Non-Technical – Irene Aboagye-Akari; Lifetime Achievement Award – Ing. Alfred Chinbuah; Best Performer in Local Content Award – Asanko Ghana Gold Limited; Best Performer in Occupational Health and Safety Award – Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine; and Best Performer in Innovation Award – Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd – Ahafo Mine.
Others were Best Mining Company in Diversity and Inclusion- Newmont Golden Ridge Ltd – Akyem Mine; Best Corporate Social Investment Project of the year 2021 – AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine; Best Performer in Environmental Management – Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd – Ahafo Mine; Best Green Mine – Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd – Ahafo Mine; Best Performer in Exploration (Junior) Category – Atlantic Lithium Limited; Best Performer in Exploration (Senior) – Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd – Ahafo Mine; Best Performer in Local Manufacturing of Mine Supplies and Support Services – ZEN Petroleum; Best Performer in Contract Mining -Ramoth Services Limited; Best Performer in Local Manufacturing of Mine Inputs – Interplast Ghana Limited; Best Green Mine – Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd. – Ahafo Mine; Best Level 200 Student (Male) in Mining Engineering at UMaT – Victor Kweku Agadzie; and Best Level 200 Student (Female) in Mining Engineering at UMaT – Justina Senam Lotsu.
The Best PhD Student in Research in Mining Engineering at UMaT – Clara Akalanya Abuntori.
The awards sponsors were Gold Fields Ghana limited, African Underground Mining Service, Adamus Resources, AngloGold Ashanti, Golden Star Resources, Asante-Chirano Gold Mine, Interplast, Stanbic Bank, SMT Ghana and Liebherr.