The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber Mr. Sulemanu Koney has said in the face of recent dip in the price of gold, there is need to forge forward with a new orientation to ensure the country leverages the mining industry in more creative ways to help achieve middle-income status in the future.

“We expect to deepen these engagements in the coming years, and hopefully get the authorities to appreciate the catalytic role the mining industry can play in our economy,” he added.

He made this statement in Accra to officially announce the Chamber’s first-ever Ghana Mining Industry awards to be held next year, recognising excellence and the contribution of mining companies and individuals to the country’s development.

President of the Chamber Mr. Johan Ferreira, launching the awards in Accra, said they will be held in November every year beginning from 2015.

He said the awards categories will include best performance environment, best performance social responsibility, best performance occupational health and safety, and best performance engineering.

The institution of the Mining Industry awards adds to the Chamber’s biennial mining conference and exhibition the Mining Summit, which is held to forge partnerships with counterparts from other parts of the world.

It also helps to reposition Ghana as the gateway for mining investment and business opportunities in West Africa, and to connect mining companies with investors, suppliers and government officials in exploring the vast mining and development opportunities.

Mr. Ferreira described 2014 as a challenging year for the mining industry, citing illegal mining on companies’ concessions and adverse perception of the local public about their operations.

He said the companies need to do more to enable stakeholders appreciate the contributions of the industry and its catalytic role in the country’s development.

Mr. Ferreira said the Chamber will continue to work with government and stakeholders to reinforce the successes and impact of the industry in the country’s development process.

Source: B&FT