About Mining & Community Research

Mining & Community Research is a nonprofit organisation that aims at using scientific research methodology for strategies towards sustainable development in communities affected by extraction of natural resources. It also aims at advocating recognition of marginalized and impoverished local people in areas where extraction of natural resources occurs.

WHY WE STAND OUT

OUR VALUES

We pride ourselves with:

  • Trust and respect
  • Teamwork
  • Honesty and integrity
  • Ownership and accountability

OUR MISSION

We are here to:

  • Provide cutting edge research to aid mining communities and clients in making sustainable decisions.
  • Advocate recognition of marginalized and impoverished local population in areas where extraction of natural resources occurs.
  • Use innovative and modern scientific methodologies in conducting research and producing accurate results.
  • Identify independent sources of funding to undertake research that benefits communities affected by extraction of natural resources.
  • Develop and maintain a network of researchers involved in the global extractive community.

OUR VISION

To become a center of excellence for sustainable community development in areas where extraction of natural resources occurs. It is also our vision to bring hope to many marginalized and impoverished local people in communities affected by extraction of natural resources.

MEET OUR DEDICATED TEAM MEMBERS

Picture of Kenneth J. Bansah

Kenneth J. Bansah

Kenneth J. Bansah is currently a PhD Candidate and Graduate Research Assistant at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri (MS&T). In August 2014, he was appointed by the Mining and Nuclear Engineering Department of MS&T as Teaching Fellow, and served one-academic year at the Saudi Mining Polytechnic in Saudi Arabia, teaching and training young Saudi citizens in mining principles, technology, and health and safety.

He holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Ghana and B.Sc. (First Class) in Mining Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He completed a course in Disasters and Ecosystems, organized by the United Nations and Cologne University of Applied Science in 2015. Kenneth was a Visiting Scholar (in 2008) at the Department of Environmental Engineering, Montana Tech, Butte, USA. He joined the University of Mines and Technology as a Teaching Faculty in 2006 and was promoted to a Lecturer and Training Officer in Mining Engineering.

Kenneth has over ten years of experience in teaching mining, petroleum, geomatic, mechanical, electrical and geological engineering students in introduction to mining, mine machinery, alluvial and ocean mining, drilling and blasting, probability and statistics, technical communication and report writing, operations research, and mining laws and regulations. Kenneth also has 6 years of experience in educating and training mine operators (with no formal education) in principles of mining engineering, mining operations, surface mining operations and occupational health and hygiene for the mining industry. He was also part of a select team of instructors responsible for teaching mine officials (mine foremen, shift bosses, captains etc) from Goldfields Ghana Limited, Ghana Manganese Company, Newmont Ghana Gold and Chirano Gold in mining concepts and drilling and blasting. He also coordinated short courses in safety and environmental management from 2007 to 2013. He supervised over 20 undergraduate project works, and assessed two M.S. theses. He was an academic tutor to over 30 students and served as a member/secretary on several departmental, faculty and academic board committees in the university. Key among these committees include a Vice Chancellor’s committee to develop a World Bank proposal for establishing a Center of Excellence in Waste Management in Africa, academic board committee to develop a program structure/curriculum for establishing environmental and safety engineering program and a departmental committee to review the B.Sc. in Mining Engineering course structure.

Kenneth has significant industry experience as a Mining Engineer at Taysec Construction Ltd., Mining Engineer at AngloGold Ashanti, and Graduate Researcher at Goldfields Ghana Ltd. He led both local and international students and investors to several large and small scale mining companies in Ghana. Since July 2010, Kenneth has been the Director and Chief Consultant of Safety & Environmental Research Consultancy Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179) of Ghana, to render consulting services in environmental and safety issues. He has executed over 20 consulting services to mining and related industries, and has written over 15 technical reports. Kenneth was also a Senior Tutor at the Centre for Continuing Education of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana from 2010 to 2013, and holds Certificates of Proficiency in Safety and Environmental Management from the University of Mines and Technology. His current research interests include environmental and engineering applications of geophysics, occupational health and hygiene, small-scale mining, safety and environmental management. The results of his research include over 20 refereed journal and conference publications.

He is a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. (SME), Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).

Picture of Georgette Barnes-Sakyi-Addo

Georgette B. Sakyi-Addo

Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo has consistently founded and managed startups and small and medium business entities in the mining sector, and sought to give of herself and make an impact on others in the mining community.

When asked at her first job interview in 1993 by the CEO of International Gold Resources (IGR) in Accra, why she should be hired as Administration Assistant in an exploration firm when she had no prior experience, she replied: "I‘ll never get any experience unless someone first tries me." IGR tried her. She went on to represent the company and established IGR office in Burkina Faso, She travelled all over West Africa to assist with Concessions Acquisition and also actively giving other young job seekers a chance.

She was subsequently the first hire at Resource Services Group (RSG) where she established its new offices as head of administration. But she went beyond duty and took interest in the core business, and for the following 10 years she worked with the Team on projects throughout West Africa that have culminated in the collection of geological data of the sub-region that has become an important exploration resource in the public domain today.

In 2004, She became Founding Managing Director of Corstor Ghana Limited, a mining supplies firm headquartered in Johannesburg. Under Georgette’s direction and leadership, the mine support business caught the attention of an Industry Giant which acquired the Corstor group including it’s Ghana branch. She also represented Westernex in Ghana and the West Africa sub region as non-executive director.

She has also established her own locally-owned drilling supplies company, Georgette Barnes Ltd, representing known sector brands such as Australian Mud Company, Breithaupt, RIDGID and Westernex. To top it all, she is sharing her knowledge and experience by establishing Women in Mining Ghana and volunteering as co-ordinator. Georgette is also a volunteer and Founder of Accra Mining Network (AMN) dedicated to people working in all aspects of the mining industry in Ghana to “meet, learn & earn”. AMN currently has an on-line presence of over 500 people.

She studied for a BA in French and Linguistics, and a Graduate Diploma in Communications at the University of Ghana. Yet, Georgette continues to learn. In 2005 she earned a diploma in Accounting/Finance; and in 2015, received a Certificate in Mining Law & Policy(University of Ghana) and another for Proficiency in Principles of Mining Engineering and Surface Mining Operations from UMaT. Georgette has been named as one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women In Mining.

Picture of Nelson K. Dumakor-Dupey

Nelson K. Dumakor-Dupey

Nelson K. Dumakor-Dupey is currently, a Teaching and Research Assistant and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Student at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, Ghana. He is also enrolled in the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme in mining engineering at UMaT. Nelson is a versatile and dynamic young researcher with significant industry experience from Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine and Damang Mine, Chirano Gold Mine Limited, and Prime Stone Quarries Limited as Mining Engineer.

Over the past two years, Nelson has made extensive visits to artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sites, interacting with grassroots and stakeholders with the aim of helping to improve the ASM sector in Ghana. He holds BSc in Mining Engineering from University of Mines and Technology. He has coordinated short courses in Principles of Mining Engineering, Surface Mining Operation, Surface Mining and Blasting Technology, and Occupational and Hygiene.

In 2012, he undertook training in introduction to investment at the Ghana Stock Exchange, to boost his knowledge in financial management. He has attended and presented at various conferences including the maiden edition of Falling Walls Lab 2016 in Ghana. His research interests include Modelling and Simulation of Mining Systems, Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Sustainable Mining and Mine Reclamation. He has seven peer reviewed journal and conference publications to his credit.

He is a member of Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and a District Representative of Accra Mining Network (AMN).

Akuba B. Yalley

An MPhil Mining Engineering student at the University of Mines and Technology. She holds a BSc (First Class) in Mining Engineering from the University of Mines and Technology.

She has worked with AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine, an Underground Mine in Ghana as a Mine Planning Engineer. She has also worked with African Mining Services (Adamus Resources), an Open Pit mine in Ghana.

Her research interests include underground design and planning, artisanal and small scale mining, surface mine planning and design. She is currently a member of AMRS.