Accra, May 13, GNA - The Ghana Chamber of Mines is to outdoor a year-long programme of activities to mark its 80th anniversary celebration and to also highlight the enormous contribution of the mining sector to the country's socio-economic development.

Briefing a cross-section of journalists ahead of the official launch of the anniversary, Ms. Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, said the celebration would be used to enhance public understanding of efforts being made by members of the Chamber to promote sustainable mining and improve lives in the communities in which they operated.

While admitting that mining, like any other form of engagement disturbed the environment, Ms. Aryee said the Chamber had been at the forefront of encouraging member companies to always explore innovative ways of carrying out their operations so as not to impact negatively on the environment.

She said with better technology and knowledge companies were doing all they could to minimise the environmental impact of their operations through revegetation, rehabilitation, restoration and building activities such as fish ponds around the pits to provide a source of livelihood for people in the communities. Ms. Aryee said the critical importance of the sector to country's development was not only in the revenue it generated but also the opportunities that were created for upstream and downstream value chains.

Revenues from mining are both direct, that is, through royalties, fees, taxes, dividends, levies among others and indirect through taxes and fees via the supply chain.

Mineral revenue grew from 892 million dollars in 2005 to about 1.8 million dollars in 2007.

In the same vein, royalties doubled from 26.7 million dollars in 2005 to 53.8 million dollars in 2007.

The sector has also contributed to the development of communities and towns through the provision of social amenities and health facilities, building of access roads to rural communities thereby stimulating economic growth as well as enhancing commerce in the mining centres.

Despite these, Ms Aryee said, a major challenge for the Chamber members was how to manage community expectations, adding that the companies had been alive to their corporate social responsibility. Planned activities for the anniversary to be held on the theme: "Life without Mining is Impossible," will include symposium, choral concert and lectures. 13 May 08