Samuel Abu Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister for Mines and Natural Resources, emphasized at the 8th UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference that Ghana must prioritize the development of indigenous mining technologies to fully harness its mineral resources.
Jinapor highlighted Ghana’s historical significance in global gold production, contributing up to thirty-six percent in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Despite being Africa’s leading gold producer today, alongside substantial outputs of bauxite, manganese, and diamonds, Jinapor expressed concerns over Ghana’s limited earnings from mineral extraction and environmental degradation due to the absence of locally developed mining technologies.
“We cannot reap the full benefits of our mineral endowments without leveraging innovation to maximize efficiency, reduce waste, and transform our mining sector into a knowledge-driven industry,” Jinapor stated during his keynote address on the theme, “Innovation in Mining and Mineral Processing; Expanding the Frontiers of Mining Technology.”
Addressing industry experts and researchers at the conference, Jinapor underscored the urgent need for technological advancements through robust research efforts.
He emphasized that innovation would enhance production and add value to Ghana’s mineral exports, fostering a green, sustainable, and safe mining environment.
“The conference serves as a pivotal platform to evaluate current mining practices and propel our industry forward with affordable and innovative technologies,” Jinapor urged, calling on stakeholders to scale up efforts in developing solutions tailored to Ghana’s mining sector.
Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of UMaT, echoed Jinapor’s sentiments, noting the conference’s focus on presenting research findings to advance Ghana’s mining technology landscape.
“We anticipate significant breakthroughs from the discussions on green minerals and strategies for enhancing Ghana’s capacity for value addition in mining,” Prof. Amankwah remarked, highlighting the conference’s role in fostering collaboration among researchers, engineers, and academics.
As the conference progresses, stakeholders anticipate outcomes contributing to Ghana’s ability to develop and deploy cutting-edge mining technologies, ultimately ensuring sustainable growth and maximizing the country’s mineral potential.
