The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has reassured large-scale mining operators of the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding their businesses from illegal mining encroachment.
Jinapor emphasized the government’s collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Miners (GCM) to enhance security measures at mining concessions, acknowledging the pivotal role of large-scale mining in the nation’s economy.
During a meeting with GCM members in Accra, Jinapor praised the Chamber for allocating $300,000 for repairing three Ghana Air Force aircraft used for surveillance against illegal mining (galamsey) activities. He committed the ministry to securing funds for the complete restoration of these aircraft to combat galamsey effectively.
Addressing fiscal concerns, Jinapor acknowledged mining companies’ worries about the value-added tax (VAT) on exploration. He assured stakeholders that the government’s economic management team was actively engaged in finding a mutually beneficial solution, despite the challenges faced in 2023.
Another area of concern was the growth and sustainability levy. Jinapor reiterated the government’s emphasis on value addition in the mining sector, urging the GCM to align with this agenda for the sector’s overall benefit and community development.
The President of GCM, Joshua Mortoti, affirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the government’s vision of making the country Africa’s mining hub.
He projected an increase in GCM’s producing member companies’ output to 3.5 million ounces in 2024, with additional production from the Cardinal Namdini Gold Mine.
Mortoti highlighted the expected decline in output from Newmont’s Akyem Mine and Gold Fields’ Damang Mine, which would be partially compensated by the new production. The national gold output in 2024 is anticipated to exceed 4.5 million ounces.
In the background, it was noted that a special task force had been deployed in September 2023 to protect large-scale mining companies from illegal miners, with plans to involve the military on specific occasions to address illegal mining activities at legal concessions.