The Design, Procurement and Commissioning of the Information Management System at the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines and its Agencies

This project deals with the creation of the information technological pre-requisites for the support of the mining sector of Ghana and is financed by the Mining Sector Support Programme (MSSP) of the European Union (8th European Development Fund). The main beneficiaries are the Ministry, the Minerals Commission, the Geological Survey Department, the Mines Department and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company.

A complex database is under construction that will enable access from various authorities in Ghana to provide easy access to valuable geo-scientific data and topographical base data such as geo-referenced maps and other data layers. Basic GIS functions are included. In addition, complex user rights settings allow data entry for qualified users. In terms of good governance, it will create more transparency and efficiency with regard to geological and mining related business activities, and provide a strong support to the activities of the mining sector institutions. Some geo-scientific information will be available to the general public on the new web site of the mining sector institutions which is envisaged to contribute to sustainable and environmentally friendly mining and land use planning procedures.

The public portal of this IMS, including restricted access to database and GIS is this web site www.ghana-ming.org.

A presentation of the IMS can be found on the Web Site of the 5th Regional FIG Conference 2006:

 »Aryee, B.N.A. et al.: Planning and Implementation of the Information Management System of the Mining Sector of Ghana

The project is supervised by the Minerals Commission and executed by a consortium lead by Beak Consultants (Freiberg/Germany).

 »Beak Consultants GmbH

Electronic Storage of Old Geological Maps and Reports

One of the Commission’s functions is to secure a firm basis of comprehensive data collection on national mineral resources and the technologies of exploration and exploitation for national decision-making. In line with this, old geological maps and mine plans that were deteriorating in some other Government offices were retrieved with the view of salvaging them and storing them electronically for use by investors. Also, geological reports submitted by exploration and mining companies, which hitherto were held in various offices within the Commission, were compiled and categorized into field sheets.

During the year 2004, four companies were invited to submit bids to undertake this project. At the end of the stipulated date, only two were able to submit proposals. The bids were then evaluated and the lowest bidder, Integrated Geoscience Inc. of Canada was recommended for the award of contract. The project, when completed, will enhance the mineral information base of the Commission as the digital map and report information will interface with the minerals concession cadastre, making retrieval of information relative to application areas timeous for investors.