2023 Ghana Mining Expo Opens Today, As Captains and Players of Industry Converge on Takoradi
The 4th edition of the 2023 Ghana Mining Expo is set to begin today, Thursday, July 13th and end on Saturday, July 15th, in the Western Regional capital, Takoradi.
The three-day event, to be held at the Takoradi Club House, is expected to attract the captains and players of the extractive industry in Africa and beyond.
It is under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Ghana Gold Expo Foundation and the Western Regional Coordinating Council.
The Expo, under the theme: “Sustainable Mineral Resources Development and Well-Being of Mining Communities,” is estimated to host over 1,500 participants from the industry.
The conference, The Anchor is informed, will afford a formal dialogue among accredited representatives of stakeholders – (government, both local, national and international) – on the most critical environmental issues, investment capital, intelligence and investment ideas.
Throughout the three-day event, participants are expected to engage in panel discussions, insightful keynote speeches, interactive workshops and exhibitions showcasing the latest advancements in sustainable mining practices.
Attendees will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights, network with industry peers and explore potential collaborations to shape a brighter future for Ghana’s mining sector.
The expo will emphasize the importance of responsible mineral resource development that will not only benefit the economy, but also ensure the social and environmental well-being of mining communities.
It will tackle pressing issues, such as environmental stewardship, community engagement, job creation and the use of innovative technologies for sustainable mining operations.
It will also afford the indicators to measure the well–being of mining communities, ASM Gold Formalization and Central Bank Domestic Purchase Program in Africa, Mining Investment and the challenges of raising ESG Standards in Ghana, CSR and The Finance Master class for Small Scale and Community Mining and collate views and produce action plans to drive a regional-based commitment towards an accelerated mine tailing development (mining) by mitigating risks and turning challenges into opportunities.
Samuel Abu Jinapor, who is the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, will deliver the opening remarks and the President’s keynote address.
Other officials spearheading the conference, aside from the sector minister, are the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker, Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, as well as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Ayisi, who is the chairman of a technical committee set up for the event.
According to the organizers, this year’s Ghana Mining Expo is pleased to host the South African minister for Mines and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, as the special guest of honor.
Executive Director of Ghana Gold Expo Foundation, Dr. Steven Blessing Ackah, stated that this cooperation with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has come to stay, since mining activities are the bedrock of society, a requisite for Ghana’s development and also the need to have the national framework to the well-being of mining communities.
Ghana, a country whose gold and minerals industry dates back centuries, is becoming the leading producer of gold in the world. This was a result of lower-cost mines, friendlier policies and new development projects.
Despite Ghana being a top leader in Africa in the Gold Mining industry, the entire mining industry is faced with enormous challenges and opportunities for new entrants.
As the world of mining is embracing new modes of responsible mining, and ESG best practices, the continent is faced with illegal mining, high taxes and high cost of exploration for both large and small-scale companies which tend to be a hindrance to the growth of the sector.
Ghana is endowed with immense economic mineral resources, some of which not limited to green minerals to be highlighted are gold, diamond, manganese, bauxite, clay, kaolin, mica, columbite-tantalite, feldspar, chrome, silica sand, quartz, salt, iron ore, copper and the new discovery of lithium that the government is considering to produce and market in commercial quantities.
The aim of sustainable minerals development is to ensure mineral use is kept to a minimum amount without creating a negative impact of economic growth, but however ensure best mining practices. The mining sector in Ghana seeks to identify green mineral resources that will in turn impact the economy, society, safe environment, job creation and provide raw materials essential to every sector of the economy.
ABOUT GHANA MINING EXPO
The Expo provides a multi-sectoral platform for the sharing and exchange of ideas, opinions and thoughts on the investment opportunities and challenges in the Africa Gold sector, aimed at implementing strategies for accelerated growth in mining, in addition to assuring resilience on all fronts and at all times as Africa’s economic bedrock.
Source: Anchorghana.com
