From Ghana Web

The Minerals Commission says it is willing to help skilled jobseekers create their own jobs in the mining sector instead of continuing to search for placement in a sector dogged by massive job-cuts.

According to Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Dr. Toni Aubynn, it’s more advisable for people, mostly graduates armed with the requisite skills to form synergies, to explore opportunities in the sector rather than chase positions in already established mining firms.

“People with the diverse requisite qualifications can team-up and approach the commission for a mining concession. It doesn’t really pay all the time to be looking up to the big firms. When these people approach the commission and satisfy all the requirements, we will take it from there,” he said.

More than 3,000 mineworkers have been laid-off in the mining sector since last year due to the massive drop in the price of bullion. Since the beginning of 2013 the price per ounce of gold has fallen by 22 percent. It now trades at around US$1,300.

More workers are likely to be asked to go home as mining companies try to contain their costs amid the price slump.

Speaking to the Accra Mining Network, made up of diverse professionals from the industry, Dr. Aubynn said there are opportunities in the industry for skilled small-scale miners, and urged professionals to come together to tap those opportunities.

Read more at Ghana Web