A public forum aimed at finding lasting solutions to the problems associated with small-scale mining in the country has been held in Kumasi.

The programme, which was organised by the Third World Network-Africa (TWN-Africa), brought together participants from various sectors including academia, the media, civil society organisations, traditional authorities and small-scale miners to discuss the challenges confronting small-scale mining in Ghana, and how potentials of the sector can be optimised.

The purpose, according to the TWN-Africa, was among other things, to create an opportunity for discussing issues on small-scale mining within the context of the on-going mining reforms at the national, regional and continental levels.

Under the theme ‘Optimising the Developmental Benefits of Small-Scale Mining’, various speakers at the forum took participants through topics such as Challenges of Small-Scale Mining in Ghana; Curbing Environmental Impacts from Small-Scale Mining; Optimising the Potential of Small-Scale Mining, and a statement by the National Coalition on Small-Scale Mining.

Mr. Kofi Boateng, a small-scale miner and Director of Christal Mining Consult, explained that various challenges including difficulty in acquiring registration and permit; excessive demands and harassment from chiefs, communities and security services; threats of armed robbery; lack of financial assistance from banking institutions; and lack of standardisation for compensation as some of the challenges confronting small-scale miners in Ghana.

He, therefore, called for a proper institutional framework and proper implementation of regulations surrounding the operations of small-scale mining in order to ensure that indigenous Ghanaians benefit adequately from it.

Mr. Isaac Owusu, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), touching on curbing environmental impacts from small-scale mining, called for decentralisation of the system involved in issuing permits to miners -- stressing that the current situation wherein all documents are processed in Accra does not augur well for the smooth operation of small-scale mining in the country.

He further advocated strengthening leadership of the Small-Scale Mining Association to give them a louder voice and representation in any decision concerning affairs of the sector, and further called for training and re-training of personnel in the area of reclamation and other environmental issues.

Mr. Owusu suggested the institution of a reclamation fund that will be subject to refund or outright forfeiture -- depending on whether operators are able to reclaim pieces of land after using them or not.

Speaking on the theme “Optimising the Potentials of Small-Scale Mining in Ghana”, a representative from the Minerals Commission, Mr. Kofi Tetteh, said small-scale mining had lots of potential for development of the country's economy and indicated that the sector alone employs about one million youth in Ghana.

He further disclosed that in 2012 alone, small-scale mining was responsible for about 34% of gold produced in the country.

Mr. Tetteh, however, said it is regrettable that only 20% of operators in small-scale mining are properly registered, and, therefore, appealed to the media to engage them in regular discussions as a means of encouraging others to adopt the proper methods of operation.

“The small-scale mining sector has the potential to stimulate economic growth of Ghana if properly handled; it is, therefore, imperative that a fora of such nature are held periodically to discuss the various challenges and how best we can address them,” he remarked.