The governments of Ghana and Mali showcased their progress with implementing the Mining Cadastre Administration System (MCAS) and the Online Respoitory at the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa, last week. Over the past year, both countries have made significant progress towards more efficient management and governance of mining licenses. 

The Government of Mali launched its online repository portal in October last year, which has made all mining licenses available to the public by publishing information directly from the MCAS system. At a side event during the Mining Indaba conference, they presented the improved systems and processes to all their stakeholders and received praise from key investors and mining companies. Mali is supported by a project funded by German Cooperation (GIZ) and implemented jointly by RDF and GIZ.

The Minerals Commission in Ghana will launch a similar portal within the next few weeks. Visitors at the Ghana booth at the Mining Indaba were able to view the data and systems deployed. Excitement was expressed about getting information about licenses to the public. At a panel discussion on small-scale and artisanal mining, the CEO of the Ghana Minerals Commission, Dr. Toni Aubynn, explained the challenges they are facing with illicit mining and that access to information is a key part of the solution. Ghana is supported by a project funded by the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and implemented by RDF.

The Government of Mali Online Repository can be viewed here: http://referentiel.mines.gouv.ml/

Government of Ghana booth at Mining Indaba, Cape Town