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Mining experts, researchers, and policymakers from across Africa and Europe have called for greater collaboration and stronger regulation to ensure responsible mining practices in Africa.
This was the key message that emerged from an international conference held at the Raybow Hotel in Takoradi under the theme “Responsible Artisanal and Industrial Miners in Africa.”
The five-day event, organised jointly by Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg in Germany and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, brought together participants from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Germany.
The programme was sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) under its Alumni Programme with funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Participants included alumni of German universities, many of whom have contributed to mining research and innovation across Africa.
Speakers represented academia, government, and industry, focusing on the widening gap between large-scale and small-scale mining operations on the continent.
“While large mining groups generally operate within legal and environmental frameworks using modern technologies, small-scale miners often work under loosely defined or even illegal structures,” one participant observed. “This imbalance has significant environmental, social, and economic consequences.”
A major highlight of the conference was a presentation by Professor Richard K. Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of UMaT, who underscored the need for robust data on small-scale mining operations.
“The consequences of small-scale mining are poorly documented,” he said. “We need quantitative evidence on production, income, and environmental impacts to develop effective policies and technologies for the sector.”
Discussions revealed that Ghana’s small-scale mining ecosystem involves four major actors — landowners, government and regulatory agencies, miners, and research institutions. The conference concluded with key recommendations aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices. These include:
• Conducting research to fill existing data gaps and create a reliable knowledge base.
• Establishing socio-economic models to understand the mining value chain.
• Enforcing compliance with the rule of law and improving monitoring systems.
• Developing business models and bankable documentation for small-scale miners.
• Creating financial products tailored to the needs of small-scale miners.
• Encouraging partnerships and knowledge exchange between small- and large-scale miners.
The event, which fostered lively debate and idea exchange, was hailed as a major step toward bridging the gap between artisanal and industrial mining in Africa.
Organisers expressed optimism that continued collaboration and policy enforcement would lead to a more sustainable and inclusive mining industry across the continent.
