Lands Minister announces audit of all mining companies

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources John Peter Amewu has announced the audit of all mining companies in Ghana and the royalties they pay to government August 2018, warning all mining companies to cooperate and collaborate with the auditing firm. 

He said government will not allow the multinational mining companies to exploit the country's resources to their benefits. 

Mr. Amewu, expressed displeasure over the way multinational companies flout Ghana's law with impunity saying all those wrongs must be corrected. 

Addressing journalists after touring the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC)at Nsuta in the Western Region the sector minister expressed his displeasure at the company's non-involvement of the Government in pricing of manganese ore being mined and sold to a firm in China for processing.

Mr. Amewu said the GMC has engaged  an affiliate transaction with a sister firm without the consent of government and believed the nation was being short-changed in terms of payment of taxes and royalties. 

He directed the management of GMC to furnish the Minerals Commission with details about the prices they sell the ore since government had 10 percent stake in the firm.

He urged the Company to establish a mining refinery in Ghana to process manganese ore locally to add value to the raw material. 

He was also unhappy with the performance of the firm regarding compliance with the local content laws and Contract Agreement it signed with the government.

The Chief Operations Officer for GMC, Benjamin Ato Quarshie assured the government of complying with the directives and do the right thing as spelt out in Contract Agreement.

He also pledged to support the government to rehabilitate Tarkwa-Agona-Nkwanta road, which had deteriorated due to hauling of manganese to the Takoradi Port.

gbcghanaonline.com
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