A manual to guide the operations of community mining activities and promote responsible small-scale mining in Ghana was yesterday launched in Tarkwa.

Dubbed, Small-scale and Community Mining Operational Manual, it simplifies procedures and how community mining should be done and how it should look like in terms of prototype.

Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, who launched it said, the Manual was designed to ensure the success of government’s commu­nity mining scheme initiative that seeks to enable Ghanaians engage in legal mining.

He said the scheme, which would be scattered across the mining regions of the country, was one of the modules of the National Alternative Employment and Live­lihood Programme, launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at Tarkwa earlier this month.

At the event, the Deputy Minister further announced the operationalisation of the Akoon Community Mining Scheme, the first of 100 community mining schemes expect­ed across the country by the end of 2022.

The Akoon Community Mining Scheme, which is the model for all the mining scheme projects has all the required facilities including first aid centre, administration block, changing room and dining block.

Expected to provide employment to more than 1,000 people from the area, he noted that, the government had also made requisite investments in machinery and equipment to aid the operations of benefi­ciaries.

“This scheme is for all the people of Tarkwa and we must work to ensure its suc­cess. Let’s avoid illegal activities which could jeopardise the safety of all.

I expect the leaders here to serve and lead patiently. Let’s abhor violence and actions that would trigger disturbances. Those who engage in dubious activities would be arrest­ed and prosecuted,” Mr Duker cautioned.

He said the government, as part of monitoring and enforcement measures, had also established an operational committee to oversee the activities at Akoon and report to the District Mining authorities.

He charged the Ghana National Asso­ciation of Small-scale Miners to take up the initiative to educate all members on the various dos and don’ts in the manual adding that the document was to help in the realisa­tion of regularising small-scale mining in the country.

Western Regional Minister, Kofi Okyere Darko-Mensah, stated that government expects the existence of a good working environment at the Scheme saying that any disturbances could result in its closure.

He said mining was a valuable economic activity which could ensure sustainable liveli­hoods and wealth creation.

He therefore asked the beneficiaries to comply with all the directives and help in creating opportunities and uplifting the socioeconomic levels of all in the area.

Chief Executive of Tarkwa Nsuaem Mu­nicipal Assembly, Benjamin Kesse pledged that the Assembly would ensure the safety and security of the mining site.