Ghana’s mining industry is about to experience a significant boost, thanks to the Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM) and the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) launching phase II of electrical cables standards. This initiative aims to establish stringent standards for electrical cables used in mining, while promoting local manufacturing.
The move is expected to raise quality assurance in the mining industry, strengthening local industrial capabilities to meet industry demands. Key objectives of phase II include developing and harmonizing mining cable color codes and technical specifications, as well as promoting public and industry acceptance of harmonized standards.
According to Sulemanu Koney, CEO of GCM, this initiative is crucial for ensuring that all cables used in mining operations meet international quality and safety standards. It’s also a step towards reducing dependence on imported cables. “Standards are critical to the industry, especially ours… Meeting standards is, therefore, a sine qua non for the sustainability of the mining industry,” he noted ¹.
The results are already promising, with mining companies increasing their local purchases of electrical cables by 200.65% and 263.22% between 2020 and 2022. Total procurement rose from $1,964,460.19 to $4,138,282.39 during the same period.
The second phase builds on the success of the phase I, which focused on setting foundational guidelines to eliminate substandard electrical products from the market. The phase II is meant to raise quality assurance in the mining industry while strengthening the country’s local industrial capabilities to meet industry demands.
Other objectives of the phase II are to develop and harmonise mining cable colour codes and technical specifications and promote public/industry acceptance of harmonised standards,
Standards are so critical to the industry, especially ours. It assures users that the inputs and services meet minimum requirements of the job at hand. An industry which is a price taker and, therefore, thrives on cost competitiveness and efficiency will naturally have little room for costly errors. Meeting standards is, therefore, a sine qua non for the sustainability of the mining industry,” he noted.
Citing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the GSA in 2017 with the purpose to assist the mining industry to establish standards for locally produced inputs, the CEO highlighted that the gesture is undergirded by the chamber’s avowed belief that local content in mining industry should spawn local manufacturing, fabrication and production.
He further noted that since the launch of the first phase, mining companies have significantly increased their local purchases of electrical cables. He said: “Total procurement increased from US$1,964,460.19 in 2020 to US$4,138,282.39 in 2022, whereas true local procurement increased from US$584,292.10 to US$2,122,237 in same period, representing 200.65 percent and 263.22 percent improvement respectively.
While being optimistic with the steps taken to boost local manufacturing and assuring the production of standard electrical cables, Mr. Koney advocated the need to consider requisite protocols for new local product development initiatives and their rapid diffusion within the industry.
Professor Alex Dodoo, Director-General – GSA, for his part, explained that the GSA has been steadfast in its commitment to developing and implementing standards that drive safety, efficiency and motivation across all sectors.
“In collaboration with the GCM, phase II of this initiative stands as a testament to our dedication to strengthen Ghanaian mining industry through robust standards that meet international best practices and cater for local needs,” he stated.
Stressing on the importance of strengthening local capacity, Prof. Dodoo said that the step does not only reduce dependence on foreign supplies, but also promotes job creation.
He reiterated GSA’s commitment to ensuring safety and compliance within the sector through regulatory conformity assessment activities, including product inspection, testing and certification to guarantee that all cable installations meet the established standards.
According to the GCM and the GSA, a total number of 95 standards have been reviewed, developed and adopted by the National Technical Committee.
