MINING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (MCDS)
As mandated by the Act, a Mining Community Development Scheme (MCDS) should be developed for each mining community whereby local management committees would be established in each mining community to administer and operate the Scheme within the mining community.
The purpose of the scheme is to facilitate the socio-economic development of the communities that are affected by mining operations. The MCDS aims at preparing frameworks that would help in selecting potential projects to undertake in order improve to infrastructure in mining communities.
Management of the Scheme
A Local Management Committee shall administer and operate the Scheme within the mining community for which the committee was established.
The Board shall determine the modalities for the disbursement of funds to a Local Management Committee for its approved activities.
Proposed projects or investment portfolios for Mining Communities include
- Development of one-stop-shop for all kinds of minerals. (a center with a smelter, market, bank, chemical shops, etc.)
- Entrepreneurial Skills training and development
- Alternative livelihood projects such as plantations and other agro products
- Construction of ultra-modern Markets and Lorry Parks or Hospitals
- Purchase or hiring of modern mining equipment for small scale miners
- Any other proposed bankable project
20% of the mineral royalties is allocated to the Mining Community Development Scheme.
Abdul Mannan is the head of the MCDS, he was appointed to head the Scheme in January, 2018.