The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has engaged representatives of TU Bergakademie Freiberg University of Mines in Germany to explore potential areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening responsible and sustainable artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Ghana.
The engagement formed part of a visit facilitated by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana) under its Market Entry Programme, which promotes international partnerships, technology transfer and collaboration.
Representing TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Prof. Ing. Martin Kressen and Dr. Ing. Martin Mensah outlined areas where the university’s technical expertise, research experience and technologies could support Ghana’s efforts to formalise and improve the sustainability of the ASM sector.
The discussions covered youth skills development, technical training, environmental monitoring, responsible sourcing, traceability and the restoration of degraded mining landscapes.
Prof. Kressen highlighted the university’s experience in mining and post-mining land restoration, stressing the importance of integrating rehabilitation into mining operations and ensuring that mined lands can remain useful to communities after mining.
Dr. Mensah emphasised the need to understand the realities of artisanal and small-scale miners when developing solutions to support formalisation.
He also highlighted opportunities to train young professionals and develop specialised enterprises capable of providing technical services across the ASM value chain.
The engagement provided GoldBod and TU Bergakademie Freiberg with an opportunity to explore potential cooperation in skills development, technology and environmental sustainability as Ghana seeks to promote more responsible practices within the ASM sector.
