Ghana Mine Repository And Tracking Control Room

Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room with the use of satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies helps track the extent and impact of small-scale mining activities. The EMME team track and monitor earth-moving and mining equipment,umanned aerial vehicles and speed boats.

The Earth-Moving and Mining Equipment team at GMRTCR execute monitoring and tracking of small-scale mining activities in compliance with the Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2404).

Also,the call center team at GMRTCR serve as the informative and communication chanel between Small Scale Miners and the network control room which aid in making informed decisions. Community engagement plays a crucial role, as local residents are encouraged to report any concerns or violations they observe.

Data collection and analysis are employed to monitor key indicators, such as ensuring that operators work within their concession and adhered to the laws.

Explosive trucks in Ghana are monitored through A.I embedded cameras which are fixed in the explosive trucks at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room. Explosives carting trucks transport highly dangerous and sensitive materials.

The explosive team at GMRTCR monitor and track these trucks to ensures that they adhere to safety protocols, reducing the risk of accidents, leaks, or unauthorized access. The monitoring helps identify potential issues, such as mechanical failures or improper handling, allowing for timely intervention and mitigation.

The explosive team ensures that during the transporting of explosives, there is strict adherence to regulations and guidelines set by authorities. This helps detect any violations or deviations from the prescribed protocols which is the (L.I.2177) allowing authorities to take appropriate actions and enforce compliance.

Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room will monitor the quarry and industrial mineral where each quarry or industrial mineral carting truck's tonnage or volume of ore being carted will be calculated. This will be executed where a load scanner will scan truck as soon as it passes beneath it to determine the total weight that is being transported.

Monitoring helps ensure compliance with environmental regulations, permits, and best practices. It allows for early identification of potential environmental risks and facilitates the implementation of mitigation measures to minimize the ecological footprint.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP) on Thursday, December 8, 2022 commissioned the Network Control Centre for the tracking and monitoring of Earth Moving Equipment and Explosive Trucks situated at the Minerals Commission as part of a working visit to the Commission, Among the dignitaries present were, the Hon. Deputy Minister, Benito Owusu-Bio in charge of Lands and Forestry, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Board Chairperson, Board members, Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of George Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) and Mr. Godwin Armah, General Secretary of Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners.

In his introductory remarks, the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin K. Ayisi welcomed the Lands Minister Hon. Jinapor and the dignitaries and informed the gathering that the contract for the Network Control Centre was competitively awarded to UMaT, which designed and deployed the software for the Network Control Centre in line with the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2431).
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The sensitization of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) was held on Wednesday, 21st December 2022 and on Thursday, 22nd December 2022 respectively. This meeting was held at the control room at the Minerals Commission of Ghana to educate executives of Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners(GNASSM) on the newly built Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room and take suggestions on how to improve the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room.

Mr Sylvester Akpah-the lead contractor for UMaT enlightened the executives on the geofencing process and explained how trackers worked with coordinates. He explained that these coordinates were received from the Mining Cadastre Administration System(MCAS) at the Minerals Commission and fed into the software responsible for the tracking. Mr Sylvester Akpah assured the executives that this process did not affect the movement of earth-moving equipment until the concession's geofence was activated.

Mr. Sylvester Akpah stated that 25 technicians were available and extra human resources would be provided when the whole country is zoned. He added that the trackers were robust and in-house mechanics got the opportunity to see the installation process of these trackers so that these mechanics would be able to fix minor faults when they occur. Mr. Sylvester Akpah came to a conclusion that district officers should be brought on board to partake in the solving of problems since they are closer to concessions in the various districts. Mr. Sylvester Akpah notified the executives that there would be a rollout of high-purpose drones to aid in viewing the embossment on the earth-moving equipment.

Installation of trackers for small-scale miners was done on the 25th January 2023 to 28th January 2023. A total of 70 trackers were installed on excavators in various regions across Ghana. Also, a sensitization on the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room for the operators took place. Operators on the field were educated on the need for the control room and how it will be of benefit to them.

The operators were also engaged in discussions regarding the awareness of illegal mining in Ghana. The operators were lectured on how the unregulated extraction of minerals, often in environmentally sensitive areas, result in deforestation, land degradation, and water pollution. They were informed that the continuous practice undermines legal mining operations, threatens biodiversity, and poses risks to the livelihoods and safety of local communities.

1. What are the operating hours of GMRTCR?
Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room runs a 24-hour service.

2. Can trackers be purchased before the registration of excavators?
No, registration of excavators should be done before purchasing trackers.

3. Are there any payment plans for purchasing products and services at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room at the Minerals Commission?
Yes, there are payment plans for purchasing products and services at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room which are spread over a period of time.

4. What are the available modes of payment for the products and services rendered at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room at the Minerals Commission?
The available modes of payment for the products and services rendered at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room are cash, bank transfer and cheque.

5. Are there specific rules governing the movement of earth-moving equipment?
Yes, there are specific rules governing the movement of earth-moving equipment.

6. What happens when rules governing earth-moving equipment are not adhered to?
Kindly refer to page 4, section 8 of the L.I. 2402

7. Are all earth-moving equipment in Ghana being tracked under GMRTCR?
Under the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room, currently only small-scale miners' earth-moving equipment are being tracked.

8. If I have two or more excavators, am I permitted to work in multiple concessions?
Yes. One is allowed to use multiple excavators guaranteed it is registered and assigned to a specific mineral right area. In the case where earth-moving equipment have to be transported from one concession to the other, one must re-register the equipment to that new mineral right area.

9. How can GMRTCR stop illegal mining?
The Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room serves as a control measure only to minimise illegal mining.

10. Are rented equipment tracked under GMRTCR too?
Yes, rented equipment are being tracked under the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room provided the dealers have registered with the Minerals Commission.

1. How long will it take to pair a new machine to an existing concession?
It takes a maximum of 20 minutes to pair a new machine to an existing concession.

2. As an operator, how would repairs be done on my faulty earth-moving equipment since mechanics are mostly outside of the concession?
Kindly contact customer care to report your concerns.

3. Can newly acquired excavators be used without them being tracked?
No, according to the L.I. 2404, all excavators are to be tracked. Please refer to page 4, section 8 of L.I. 2402

4. What process does one need to go through to get their earth-moving equipment tracked?
Kindly pick up a form at the Minerals Commission to register your earth-moving equipment.

5. Does tracking your earth-moving equipment come at a cost?
Yes, tracking your earth-moving equipment comes at a fee.

6. What measures have been put in place to aid areas without a network?
GPS satellites have been deployed in areas without networks and in the case of clustered areas, network boosters will be utilised instead.

7. Will the services of the GPS satellites come at a cost?
Yes, the services of the GPS satellites come at cost.

8. Are there any measures put in place to aid explosive truck drivers as well?
Yes. There are AI cameras installed in the explosive trucks to aid in the monitoring and control of the trucks and drivers as well.

9. As a concession owner, where is data concerning the registration of my earth-moving equipment stored?
Data collected from concession owners with respect to their equipment are stored on secured servers.

10. What are geofence areas?
Geofence areas are virtually demarcated boundaries that enable software to trigger a response when an earth- moving equipment leaves a particular mineral rights area.

1. What are the processes involved for reactivation/re-engaging of excavators?
One must contact the customer care centre to inform about the situation and after confirmation of funds, earth-moving equipment will be re-engaged.

2. How is re-registration of excavators done?
One fills a form for re-registration and submits it to the headquarters of the Minerals Commission.

3. What is the distance between the buffer zone and the geofence?
The distance between the buffer zone and geofence is 50m.

4. Are explosive trucks being monitored?
Yes. There are AI cameras installed in the explosive trucks to aid in the monitoring and control of the trucks and drivers as well.

5. What are the required hours for conveying explosives by road?
The required hours for conveying explosives are from 6am to 6pm.

6. Are explosives trucks escorted during the delivery of explosives?
Yes, according to the L.I.2177,explosive vehicles are to be accompanied by competent persons and police escort.

7. Are there safety measures put in place for trucks that convey explosive materials?
Yes, According to the L.I. 2177,there are safety measures put in place for trucks that convey explosives.

8. Is the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room informed about the departure of explosives trucks?
Yes, the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room is informed through the Chief Inspector of Mines or his assignee 48 -hours before the day of departure.

9. Who is responsible for ensuring that all safety measures have been met before the departure of explosive trucks?
The Chief Inspector of Mines(CIM) or someone assigned by the CIM is responsible for ensuring all safety measures have been met. This can be backed with L.I. 2177.

10. What processes are involved before explosives trucks are permitted to proceed?
According to the L.I. 2177,there are processes to be undertaken before explosives trucks transit.

1. What do I do as a truck driver if there is an incident causing me to reroute?
Kindly contact the call center at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room at the Minerals Commission and inform the explosives team on the new development.

2. As an explosive truck driver, what do I do when I fail to deliver before the expected time?
Kindly contact the call center at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room at the Minerals Commission,inform the team and find the nearest rest stop.

3. Is it possible that explosive trucks can transit without the necessary safety checks?
No, According to the L.I. 2177,all safety measures are mandatory.

4. How do I get information concerning the prices of products and services rendered at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room at the Minerals Commission?
Kindly contact the call center at the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Control Room at the Minerals Commission through any of their channels and an invoice will be issued upon purchase of products and services.