AFRICAN MINING DEVELOPMENT CENTER (AMDC)-AU, PANEL DISCUSSION.

During the Africa Mining Indaba taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, took part in a panel discussion on the theme, “Advancing Green Technologies, Energies and Information in Africa: A Collaborative Approach.”

In his remarks, Mr. Ayisi emphasized the significant role of lithium in the dialogue surrounding clean energy and the transition to sustainable practices. He also underscored the importance for resource-rich African nations to explore various strategies for managing emerging and transition minerals.

Using Ghana’s sole lithium mining agreement with Barari DV Ghana Limited as an example, Mr. Ayisi elaborated on Ghana’s innovative approach. He noted that, beyond generating fiscal revenue, the mining leaseholder is mandated to construct a processing facility for value addition, which he reckon could generate additional employment opportunities in the value chain of the mineral.

Furthermore, Mr. Ayisi underscored the necessity for Ghanaian involvement and share ownership and highlighted the shareholding participation of the country’s mining sector sovereign wealth fund, known as the Mineral Income Investment Fund (MIIF). He also indicated that the mineral royalty rate of 5% has been increased to 10% in the lithium mining agreement.

Mr. Ayisi urged resource-rich African countries to strengthen collaboration as they seek to adopt new approaches in light of ongoing discussions regarding transition minerals.