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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Mr Addae Antwi-Boadiako, has indicated that the Commission would soon introduce electronic monitoring of small scale mining operations.

Speaking during the University of Mines and Technology’s (UMaT) sixth biennial international minerals and mining conference held at Tarkwa in the Western Region, he said this would be done using satellite imagery, drones and tracking of excavators.

He said the Commission would also offer online mining cadaster licensing system for small scale miners.

"These innovations are under consideration for implementation to address challenges in the small scale mining industry", the CEO announced.

Mr Antwi-Boadiako said improving mining and processing technology that was concurrent with reclamation during mining and elimination of mercury in processing of the gold ores using the direct smelting technology (Sika bukyia) would also be considered.

He indicated that in Ghana the small scale mining sector was a significant contributor to the local economy and urban rural livelihood.

Mr Antwi-Boadiako noted that the sub sector in recent times produced a third of Ghana’s gold, which was over one million ounces of gold annually.

Unfortunately, the small scale mining operations were characterized by illegality, social conflicts and negative health and safety issues, the CEO pointed out.

According to him "Management of artisanal and small scale mining has become a complex issue causing immense environmental degradation especially pollution of water bodies and indiscriminate use of cyanide and mercury in the production process".