Mining Industry Awards To Champion Excellence
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Sulemanu Koney, has stated that despite the plethora of challenges bedevilling the mining industry, players continue to brave the odds and therefore deserve recognition for their support to the Ghanaian economy. Mr. Koney made this remark following the first meeting of the adjudicating board of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA) 2015.
Speaking on the significance of the mining sector, Mr Koney said: “Major minerals producers are reeling under the negative fiscal impact of declining metal prices that have resulted in a number of stringent decisions to restmeter operations and tighten expenditure to keep the businesses afloat.
This notwithstanding, the industry was the leading contributor to the Ghana Revenue Authority’s collections and accounted for 34% of the country’s gross export revenue in 2014, reinforcing its position as a leading source for forex and a major contributor to the country’s balance of payments.”
The adjudicating board of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards is chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology, the eminent Prof. J.S.Y. Kuma. Other members are: Dr. Toni Aubynn, CEO of the Minerals Commission represented by the Chief Inspector of Mines, Mr. Obiri-Yeboah Twumasi; Mr. Daniel Amlalo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency; Dr. Steve Manteaw, Campaign Coordinator of ISODEC; and Mr. Sulemanu Koney.
According to Mr. Koney, the Ghana Mining Industry Awards is meant to: “…promote, encourage, and celebrate outstanding achievements and excellence in the mining industry.
The awards will recognize and honour organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the mining sector in Ghana.”
The board will assess the nominations received on specific categories and determine the winners based on the set categories.
The categories are: the Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Performer in Innovation, Best Performer in Environmental Management, Best Performer in Social Investment, Best Performer in Occupational Health and Safety, Best Performer in Mine Supplies and Support Services and the flagship award, Mining Company of the Year.
The 2015 GMIA is a brainchild of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and is endorsed by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr. Koney said the Chamber expects that the awards will heighten competition among mining companies to improve their operations even as the endeavour to meet their corporate objectives.
He called on the government to put in place appropriate measures to address the challenges plaguing the mining sector to reposition Ghana as the most competitive destination for mining investment.
