The Ghana Chamber of Mines has closed nominations for the 12th Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA), recording a significant rise in participation as the industry prepares to celebrate outstanding achievements in mining.
A total of 113 entries were received for this year’s awards, up from 86 entries recorded in the previous year, representing a 31.4 per cent increase.
The Chamber said the growth in submissions reflects increasing stakeholder confidence in the awards and reinforces their position as a credible platform for recognising excellence, innovation, leadership, safety, sustainability and community impact within Ghana’s mining industry.
Over the past 12 years, the awards scheme has recorded sustained growth in entries from mining companies, service providers, professionals, journalists and other industry stakeholders.
A notable development this year is the sharp increase in entries in the media category.
The category, which has historically attracted an average of three entries annually, received nine submissions this year, representing a threefold increase.
The Chamber said the development was particularly 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 demonstrated 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,” he said.
Dr Ashigbey also welcomed the increase in entries in the female technical and non-technical categories, as well as the media category.
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 participation, informed and responsible mining journalism,” he added.
Assessment underway
Following the closure of nominations, the Adjudicating Board has commenced the assessment of entries against established criteria for each award category.
The assessment will focus on evidence, measurable impact, innovation, professional standards, sustainability and the overall contribution of nominees to the advancement of Ghana’s mining industry.
The process will subsequently be subjected to an independent validation exercise by PwC, the auditors for the awards scheme.
According to the Chamber, the validation is intended to provide additional assurance regarding the integrity, consistency and credibility of the adjudication process before the nominees are officially announced.
The Chamber has expressed appreciation to all organisations and individuals that submitted entries and wished participants well as the assessment and validation processes continue.
The Ghana Mining Industry Awards are organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the main industry association representing companies involved in mineral exploration, production and processing in Ghana.
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