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Article 79 of the Ghana Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Law 703) allows a non-citizen to apply for industrial mining rights provided the proposed investment in mining activities exceeds USD 10 million. To the extent that the sector will benefit greatly from this investment agreement, it is essential to reserve the sector for Ghanaians to promote local economic and social development if the state pays due attention to the development of the sector.
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, the European Union and UNDP define development minerals as all minerals mined, processed, manufactured and mainly used in the United States. national economy without export, but used in sectors such as construction, industry and tourism and agricultural sectors. They include but are not limited to; Minerals of construction: chalk, limestone, dolomite, brick, gypsum, slate, building stone, sand, marble, gravel; Semi-precious stones such as rubies, emeralds, tourmaline, sapphires; Industrial minerals: ceramic, bentonite, dolomite, emery, graphite, potash, magnesium, graphite, salt; and cut stone: granite, basalt, slate, limestone, marble, sandstone, alabaster and steatite.
In addition to the manganese, diamonds, bauxite and other metals sectors, Development Minerals has closer ties to the local economy and could generate jobs for Aboriginal people, which would have a greater impact on the reduction of poverty. This is a bit because the sector is subject to small and medium-sized domestic firms.
Authorize non-citizens in the space "Mineral Development", it is develop a well-designed local plan and comprehensive content, implementation and monitoring, similar to the upstream petroleum sector . A plan that integrates and enables local people and the community with opportunities for growth and development even with their current level of expertise and skills is essential.
Although the Mineral and Mineral Regulations, 2012 (General Provisions), 2012 (LI 2173) provides as follows: the use and promotion of a local workforce ; purchases of locally produced goods and services, licensing and reporting requirements. Sections 1 and 2 of the Minerals and Mining Regulations (General Provisions), 2012 (LI 2173), in its current form, do not take into account the integration of Aboriginal peoples who have expertise and local expertise when non-citizens participate in this sector. The lack of a clear strategic policy to take advantage of mining activities to advance economic development has not helped. Our ambitious goals have been weak. What should we show as a country that has liberalized the mining sector for more than three decades?
The participation of foreigners in mining often enriches governments and foreign companies, but favors little or no local, economic and social development in resource-rich communities, as in the case of Obuasi, Tarkwa-Nsuaem and other mining communities.
One of the main features of Development Minerals, formerly called Low Value Minerals, is that they are mined, processed, manufactured and mainly used in the national economy without export, but used in the construction, industrial, tourism and agriculture. It does not create huge tax links, including foreign direct investment to central and subnational governments, but is essential to enriching indigenous peoples by strengthening upstream, downstream and consumer linkages when the government gives all his attention.
Conclusion
The Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC), the National Association of Small Mining Enterprises of Ghana, the National Council of Small Industries (NBSSI) and the Mineral Development Fund could be used to channel rights management and capital in development minerals. rather than open it to foreign participation and support the nuances that go with it. Increasing aid to small-scale and medium-sized craft operators, which almost make up the "Minerals of Development" economy, could certainly have a transformative effect.
Gideon is a consultant and natural resource economist at the African Center for Sustainability of Energy and the Environment.
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