An Engineer with AngloGold Ashanti, Kisman Eghan has called for the training and funding of artisanal miners to enhance their contribution to the industry.
Speaking in an interview after a panel discussion on the funding of mining and energy projects, Mr Eghan said the main step forward is to group small-scale miners into cooperatives to make it easier for them to obtain financial and technical support for their operations.
He said small-scale miners have become major stakeholders in the industry, especially looking at their contribution to total production over the last few years.
According to him, Ghana has overtaken South Africa in gold production with the artisanal sector, contributing about 42 per cent of the output in 2018.
He mentioned that there are institutions, such as the University of Mines in Tarkwa that could take part of the skill training needs of the small-scale miners, adding that Obuasi has plans to have a KNUST campus to enhance the skills of the miners.
He then said by grouping them into cooperatives, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Mines Inspectorate and other relevant bodies could look at their safety, risk, and the impact of their operations on the environment.
