Gov’t To Establish A Gold Manufacturing & Marketing Centre – Jinapor

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has disclosed that discussions are ongoing with Rand Refinery of South Africa to establish a Gold Souk, a marketplace for manufacturing and marketing gold items in the country.

Mr Jinapor indicated that the London Bullion Marketing Association (LBMA) would serve as a referee to secure LBMA certification to facilitate the export and trade of refined gold on the international market.

He said that the jewellery subsidiary of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) could produce gold tablets, engrave and plate jewellery, “a major boost for their work”.

“Going forward, the plan is to establish a Gold Souk, a marketplace for manufacturing and marketing of gold articles, here in the country,” Mr Jinapor said at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, February 28.

On the issue of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), Mr Jinapor said that tracking excavators had been identified as one of the most effective ways to tackle the menace.

He said it also repositions the small-scale mining sector as a sustainable source of livelihood for local people.

He was confident that the Minerals Commission would install tracking devices on 4,000 excavators and earthmoving equipment as the government scales up the fight against galamsey.

According to the commission, after successfully tracking 75 excavators for the past three months, the commission was better placed to bring on board 4,000 excavators and earthmoving equipment before the end of the year.