+233 030 277 1318
+233 030 277 2783
info@mincom.gov.gh
Minerals House
#12 Switchback Road
Residential Area
Cantonment - Accra
GL- 060 -1131
INSPECTIONS AND COMPLIANCE
The Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) mandates the Inspections and Compliance Division of the Minerals Commission as a lead agency responsible for conducting mine inspections and compliance enforcement of the laws and regulations governing mineral operations in the country. Specifically, the Division inspects and monitors all mining, prospecting, quarrying, winning of precious, industrial minerals and other related mining and mineral operations.
The Inspections and Compliance Division carries out the following Functions/Roles in the Mining Industry:
- Enforce compliance of Act 703 and Regulations made under it through permitting procedures and inspection of sites of mining, prospecting, reconnaissance and related operations with the aim of reducing dangers, disturbing effects and nuisances of mining activities to acceptable levels;
- Enforce compliance of occupational health and safety regulations for the mining sector;
- Investigate the sources and causes of any mine accidents and incidents and to recommend measures to prevent recurrence of such and similar accidents;
- Investigate the sources and causes of any nuisances and pollutions on land which is subject to a mineral right;
- Monitor the operations of mines, mills and other mineral treatment plants to ensure that wasteful mining and treatment practices are not used in these operations - Judicious & Efficient Exploitation;
- Direct in what manner any commercial explosives shall be transported, stored and used on any mine or in any related operations;
- Monitor exploration/prospecting activities;
- Monitor and evaluate mine production activities;
- Inspect and test mine equipment and machinery so as to ensure their safety and compliance to operational standards & environmental requirements;
- Issuance of Waybills for the conveyance of industrial minerals for building and constructional purposes;
- Enforce compliance in the mining and transportation on industrial minerals through Task Force operations;
- Technical inspection for permitting of sites requiring blasting operation during civil Construction, etc.;
- Examine Mine Officials for Statutory Mine Certificates of Competency (Blasting/Handling of Explosives, Winder Engine Drivers, Mine Rescue Operations, Mine Supervisors, Mine Managers, etc.)
- Compliance enforcement of Mine Rescue, Fire Fighting & Underground Mine Ventilation standards;
- Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) construction permitting & inspection;
- Cyanide Management Compliance Enforcement;
- Decommission/Closure of Mines (Reclamation & Rehabilitation);
- Enforcement of SHE Management Systems & Emergency Response Procedures
Directorate and Departments within Inspections and Compliance Division
Inspections and Compliance Division has the following directorate and departments; namely:
Mining Department
Conduct inspections of the following: Surface Mining including quarrying, sand, etc. operation. Waste dumps and haul roads management; Underground Mining operations; Pre-permitting and appraisal inspections; Explosives Manufacturing, Transportation, Storage, Usage, etc.; Accidents and incidents investigations.
Also conduct competency examinations.
Machinery Department
Conduct inspections of the following:
Electrical/Power installations; Ventilation fans;
Mechanical – Machines and Equipment, Fixed Plants - Winders, Compressors, etc.
Rope Test, Pressure Vessels/Ultrasonic/etc, Tests,
Accidents and incidents investigations. Also conduct competency examinations.
Environmental Department
Assay / Chemical / Wet Lab.; Water/Soil/Rock/Dust Analysis, Mine Rehabilitation and Mine closure, Tailings Storage Facility inspections and management; Environmental Accidents/incidents investigations. Also conduct competency examinations.
Technical Services Department Permitting, Mine Ventilation, Rescue & Fire Fighting, Emergency Response, Geotechnical, Mine Planning, Metallurgy/Processing.
Monitoring & Evaluation Directorate