The Award winners
The Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Soulemanu Koney, has called on stakeholders within the mining industry to be committed to sustainable mining practices in order to secure the viability of the sector.
Speaking at the 9th Ghana Mining industry awards, he said sustainable mining practices would not only benefits communities but trickle down to generations as well.
“Let us also reflect on the collective responsibility we bear. Our commitment to sustainable mining practices is not just a choice but an imperative. By embracing sustainability, we commit and endeavour to safeguard our environment, uphold the rights of employees and local communities, as well as secure the long-term viability of our industry”.
According to him, environmental sustainability were important in business decisions recognising the importance of those sound practices to the well-being of communities, employees and communities.
He, however, noted that though the mining industry is expected to adhere to sound environmental sustainability practices in addition to policies, intimate collaboration on compliance of policies rather than politics between government and the mining industry would help improve the fortunes of the sector.
President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Joshua Motorti, for his part asked mining companies not to confine excellence to operational achievements alone but as custodians of natural resources to be responsibility to ensure that the benefits derived from mining were sustainable and shared equitably.
He also reiterated its commitment to support the government in its pursuit of socio-economic development while urging the government to deepen collaboration with the industry for mutually beneficial policies to drive growth at all levels especially mining tax fiscal regimes especially on exploration.
Newmont Golden Ridge Ltd, Akyem Mine emerged as the mining company of the year, Eric Asubonteng received mining personality of the year, Best female miner of the year, technical went to Julia Ella Serwaa Kontoh while Charlotte Fafa Tay Senyo received the best female miner of the year, non- technical category.
Others are Abosso Goldfields for Best Performer in local content, corporate social investment project of the year, Newmont Golden Ridge Ltd. Akyem, Best Performer in local manufacturing of mine inputs, Interplast while Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd. Ahafo Mine was adjudged the best performer in environmental management.
Other individuals who were also awarded include best mining student of UMAT, Best graduate Research student of UMAT best mining Reporters print and online categories among others.
The GMIA award was under theme, ‘Celebrating Excellence: Embracing Sustainable Mining Practices’.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah