Accra, Ghana, December 4, 2018//-Regional Senior Vice President for Newmont Africa, Alwin Pretorius has been adjudged the Mining Personality of the Year 2017 at the fourth edition of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA).
Mr Pretorius’ award was received on his behalf by the External Affairs Director of Communications of Newmont Africa, Adiki Ayitevie.
The awards night held in Accra on Friday, 30 November, 2018 which was organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines sought to promote, encourage, and celebrate outstanding achievements and excellence in the mining industry.
The awards recognized and honoured organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the mining sector in Ghana.
Mr Pretorius was among the over 20 individuals and organisations who were awarded.
Speeches at the night
Speaking at the awards night which climaxed 90th Anniversary celebrations of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Sulemanu Koney said “A Responsible and Sustainable Mining Industry, A Partner For National Development” had been part and parcel of the activities of the Chamber throughout the year.
“As aptly described the importance of a responsible industry to our nation’s development, there is the need to be responsible in all of our endeavours in at most necessity.”
Mr Koney was emphatic that the mining industry still has immense untapped potentials to significantly create sustainable livelihoods for the people of Ghana and contribute more deeply to the socio-economic development of the country.
According to him, harnessing these potentials would certainly require the ingenuity, commitment and dividends of all stakeholders.
The special guest of honour of the night, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison noted that in 2017 Ghana made a total mineral export of about $6 billion.
“We identified as of 2005 that the mining sector had also attracted six billion dollars in FDIs accounting for nearly 60 percent of FDI flows into the national economy. So this trend shows that mining is indeed very important not only for export but also for FDI flows”, he stated.
In a speech read for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Prof. Patrick Agbesinyale, was elated that the introduction of the Best Performer in Local Manufacturing of Mining Inputs category was apt, explaining that “Manufacturing is the most important aspect of local content if we want to create jobs and transform lives.”
African Eye Report
