The Ghana Chamber of Mines has closed nominations for the 12th Ghana Mining Industry Awards, with the assessment of entries now underway following a significant increase in participation.
A total of 113 entries were received this year, compared with 86 entries in the previous year, representing a 31.4 per cent increase.
The growth reflects increased interest in the awards and reinforces their position as a platform for recognising excellence across Ghana’s mining industry.
Over the past 12 years, the awards scheme has recorded year-on-year growth in entries from mining companies, service providers, professionals, journalists and other stakeholders.
The sustained increase highlights the value the industry places on recognising outstanding performance, innovation, leadership, safety, sustainability and community impact.
A notable development this year is the growth in the media category. While the category has attracted an average of three entries annually, nine entries were received this year, representing a threefold increase.
The Chamber described the increase as encouraging, given the important role of the media in informing the public, promoting accountability and deepening understanding of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of mining.
Commenting on the close of nominations, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, said the increase in entries demonstrates growing confidence in the awards scheme.
“The rise from 86 to 113 entries is a strong endorsement of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards. Over the past 12 years, we have worked to build a rigorous, transparent and respected process that celebrates excellence and encourages continuous improvement across the industry.
“We are also pleased with the growth in the female technical and non-technical categories, as well as the media category, which reflects increasing interest in women’s participation and informed and responsible mining journalism,” he said.
The Adjudicating Board has commenced the assessment of entries against the established criteria for each category.
The review will focus on evidence, measurable impact, innovation, professional standards, sustainability and contributions to the advancement of the mining industry.
Following the assessment by the Adjudicating Board, PwC, the auditors for the awards scheme, will conduct an independent validation exercise.
The validation process is expected to provide additional assurance on the integrity, consistency and credibility of the adjudication before nominees are announced.
The Chamber has expressed its appreciation to all organisations and individuals that submitted entries and wished participants well as the assessment and validation processes continue.
