CEO OF MINERALS COMMISSION ADDRESS “GHEITI” 2019 EXTRACTIVE SECTOR REPORT LAUNCH EVENT

CEO OF MINERALS COMMISSION ADDRESS “GHEITI” 2019 EXTRACTIVE SECTOR REPORT LAUNCH EVENT

The 2019 Extractive Sector (Mining, Oil & Gas) report by the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), has been launched in Accra at Alisa Hotel under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance and the GHEITI secretariat.

In his opening remarks as a special guest, Mr. Martin K. Ayisi commended the work of the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and hailed GHEITI for the impact it is making in the extractive sector. He urged the GHEITI Secretariat and the MSG to take interest in the processes and nature of agreements adopted between licensed operators and the government. Siting the mining agreements as an example, he called on GHEITI to court public interest and participation in the processes leading to the signing of these agreements. He further encouraged GHEITI to advocate for the publication of such contracts to enhance transparency and accountability. This he opined is one of the surest ways to protect the public purse and increase revenue to support the country’s development. He indicated that with the amendments to the mining laws in the offing the Development Agreement will be a thing of the past whilst the Stability Agreement has been proposed for a maximum of 5 years. He challenged GHEITI to go beyond mere advocacy for disclosure by institutions to publish agreements, which are the basis for generating government revenue and receipts.    

In attendance at the launch was the Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. John Ampontuah Kumah (MP), Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Special Advisor to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Deputy Minister of Energy, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam (MP) and GHEITI Champion, and Mr. Philipp Stalder, Switzerland Ambassador to Ghana, Togo and Benin. 

Mr. Ayisi highlighted the progress made in respect of Local Content and Local Participation and ongoing efforts at enhancing and building the capacity of indigenes to ensure full participation in the mining sector. He further explained that Localization Plans are required of mining companies in respect of the engagement of indigenes. He indicated that the Local Content Procurement List has been increased from 29 to 41 items to broaden indigenes participation in the industry.  

GHEITI is the Ghana Chapter of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI), headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with the main objective of working with 55 member countries  to improve transparency and accountability in the extractive industry (mining, oil, and gas sectors).

Government to Support Small-Scale and Community Mining with 100 Mercury-Free Technology Plants

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. George Mireku Duker (MP) has embarked on a working visit to Medie in the Greater Accra Region to inspect 100 mercury-free equipment (popularly called Gold Kacha) which has been procured by the Government through the Minerals Commission as part of the policy interventions to curb the menace of galamsey and promote sustainable responsible small-scale mining operations in the country.

Hon. Duker undertook the visit on Monday, April 25, 2022 and was accompanied by a delegation from the Minerals Commission led by Mr. Joseph Nayan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Support Services) and officials from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

In an interview with the media, Hon. Duker stressed that the 100 Gold Kacha plants are expected to be commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on June 6, 2022 when the full complement of equipment procured are delivered. He explained that the mercury-free technology is environmentally friendly and will protect our water bodies, mining communities and the citizenry from the harmful effects of mercury. He stated that the financing arrangement for the purchase and utilization of the plant will be handled by the Minerals Commission as the regulator of the mining industry in the country.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the green technology would improve the processing and recovery of gold ore from the current 45% to about 90%. He appealed that the activities of government should be supported in the effort at protecting the country’s natural resources for generations yet unborn. He encouraged Ghanaians to venture into responsible small-scale mining in line with the laws of Ghana. He said, “our traditional rulers and elders who are custodians of their respective lands should help government eradicate illegal mining which has become a canker in the mining communities”.

Government, he noted has empowered and resourced the Operation Halt Taskforce to undertake their anti-galamsey duties and warned all persons engaged in illegal mining to desist from it as the full rigours of the law has been activated to deal with any person found to have engaged in galamsey.

Inauguration of Community Mining at Kunsu in Ahafo Ano South-West District in the Ashanti Region.

Hon. George Mireku Duker (MP), Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources at the Palace of Otumfuo’s Hiahene, Nana Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, Chief of Kunsu

Hon. George Mireku Duker (MP), assisted by Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei to commission the Community Mining at Kunsu.

Group picture of dignitaries and Kunsu Community Mine Workers at the ceremony.

Hon. Duker in a pose with the traditional leaders of Kunsu and other dignitaries at the event.

Inauguration of Community Mining at Tokwae in the Asante Akyem South.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP), commissioning the Tokwae Community Mining, assisted by Nana Eyim Kum Nipa II, Omanhene of Gyadam.

Mercury Free Gold Kacha processing plant being demonstrated by officials from Commodity Monitor at the ceremony.

Hon. Minister and Deputy Minister in a pose with dignitaries and Tokwae Community Mining Workers

Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP), having a feel of gold processed with the Mercury Free Gold Kacha.

Minerals Commission Press Statement – Transportation Of Explosives Without Police Escorts.

PRESS RELEASE APPIATSE INCIDENT – IMPOSITION OF FINE ON MAXAM CO. LTD.

Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP), Minister for Lands and Natural Resources inaugurates a 5-member Committee of Inquiry led by Prof. Richard Amankwah to review Health and Safety Standards in the Mining Sector

Members of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry are Prof. Richard Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of George Grant University of Mines and Technology, Prof. Grace Ofori-Sarpong, Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at George Grant University of Mines and Technology, Ms. Effie Oppong-Fosu, Ghana Bar Association, Mr. Benjamin Aryee, former CEO of the Minerals Commission and Advisor on Mining, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Kwesi Enyan, Mining Engineer, former Inspector of Mines and Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti.

Board Chairperson, Hon. Barbara Oteng- Gyasi and Martin K. Ayisi, CEO of Minerals Commission present at the inauguration of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry to review Health and Safety Standards.

Government hands over 20 pickup vehicles and other equipment to Minerals Commission to enhance operations

Government hands over 20 pickup vehicles and other equipment to Minerals Commission to enhance operations

Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP), Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, assisted by Hon. George Mireku Duker (MP) Deputy Minister, Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Board Chairperson of Minerals Commission cutting tape to officially handover vehicles and other equipment to Mr. Martin Ayisi, CEO of Minerals Commission. The equipment included 10 blast monitors, 187 all-in-one desktops, 68 laptops, 11 photocopiers, 19 printers, 1 backup storage device, 102 UPS machines, 5 scanners, 2 plotters, 3 projectors, and 3 survey tools.

Mincom Donates GHS2,000,000.00 to Appiatse Support Fund

Mincom Donates GHS2,000,000.00 to Appiatse Support Fund.

Minerals Commission’s Board Chairperson, Hon. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, and Mr. Martin Ayisi, CEO of the Commission presenting a dummy cheque to Dr. Joyce Aryee, Chairperson of Appiatse Support Fund as part of the rebuilding of the community after the destruction caused by the explosion.

Inauguration of Mincom Board

The nine (9) member governing Board of the Minerals Commission was inaugurated on September 8, 2021 by the Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor (Minister of Lands and Natural Resources) at the Conference room of the Ministry.