The Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) has intensified its regional sensitisation campaign on the government’s cooperative mining initiative, engaging traditional leaders and communities in the Ashanti and Western Regions.

At a stakeholder meeting in Bompata, Ashanti Region, rCOMSDEP Coordinator, Engineer Frank Pedro Asare, emphasised that health, safety, and environmental protection are the cornerstones of cooperative mining.

“Responsible mining means protecting our water bodies, reclaiming the land, and ensuring that miners return home safely every day,” he said, stressing that the initiative seeks to correct the environmental and social damage caused by illegal mining.

Community leaders in Bompata welcomed the programme and identified two potential sites for cooperative mining.

However, they called for greater clarity on land reclamation measures and sustained education to ensure both miners and residents fully understand the framework.

In a related session with the Wassa Amenfi Traditional Council at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region, rCOMSDEP Deputy Coordinator for Operations, Mr. George Dadzie, highlighted the broader benefits of cooperative mining.

He explained that the initiative is designed to empower communities through shared ownership, with revenues allocated to a community development fund, land reclamation fund, and entrepreneurship training.

“Cooperative mining ensures that the communities own the mines and directly benefit from the resources.

This model eliminates illegal practices, promotes safer mining, and safeguards the environment,” Mr. Dadzie stated.

Traditional leaders in both regions endorsed the initiative but urged the government to ensure broader stakeholder consultation before releasing block-out areas for cooperative mining.