Ghana Gold Expo 2020 took place in the Western Regional capital of Takoradi with the theme; “Promoting zero mercury”in local mining. The three-day conference saw over 1500+ attendees from 35+ countries, 50+ Exhibitors, 300+ Mining Executives 150+ Small Scale Miners, 150+ Investors and 20+ Government Representatives come together for the annual event.
The Minister of Lands and Mineral Resources, Mr Kwaku Asoma-Cheremeh who opened the conference on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commented that the Western Region was the hub for gold mining. “The Western Region hosts a significant proportion of Ghana’s mineral resources that are being exploited and contribute immensely to the economic development of the country,” he said.
He further added that the event was an important initiative which was in line with government’s commitment to promote responsible mining and derive maximum benefits from the exploitation of the natural resources to stimulate broad-base growth. “The conference supportsthe government’s objective to promote sustainable mineral resource development and extraction for sustainable development of the people,” he asserted.
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An integrated industry
The minister also said that in order to promote the government’s agenda of industrial transformation, it has established the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation as a strategic vehicle for the full value chain production and sale of bauxite resources.This would also aid in the establishment of an integrated aluminium industry in the country.
Also speaking on the event, the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah said that the Ghana Gold Expo 2020 was a way to invite investors in the areas of exploration, mining, processing, jewellery, research, financing, technology transfer and the tourism.
He further called on international bodies, companies in the mining industry and all stakeholders to find means to stop illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey” in the country. “The industry should adopt new technologies and other innovations to address issues bordering on galamsey in order to bring about responsible mining,” he said.
