Parliament has unanimously ratified the mining lease granted by the Government to the Ghana Bauxite Company to operate the bauxite mine at Awaso in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.
This decision follows the presentation of a report by a joint Parliamentary Committee of Mines and Energy and Lands and Forestry on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
The Awaso bauxite mine is a crucial component of the Government’s strategy to establish an integrated aluminium industry in Ghana.
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), tasked with promoting and developing the industry, has identified the Awaso mine as one of its priority projects.
Initially established over 80 years ago, the Ghana Bauxite Company has evolved through various ownership structures, including a period of government acquisition in the 1970s.
Subsequently, it underwent changes in ownership, with Canadian and later Ghanaian ownership taking the helm in recent years.
Ofori-Poku Company Limited (OPCL), a wholly Ghanaian-owned entity, acquired an 80% stake in the company in 2022, marking a historic milestone as the first time the company became entirely Ghanaian-owned.
OPCL, with significant experience in the mining sector, including operations and environmental management, has been granted a new mining lease effective May 3, 2024, covering expansive areas in Awaso.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, presented the mining lease to Parliament earlier this month, adhering to constitutional requirements for Parliamentary oversight over natural resource management.
In presenting the committee’s report, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea, Chairman of the Mines and Energy Committee, affirmed that the lease meets constitutional and legal standards, ensuring that the company has the necessary financial and technical capabilities to fulfill its obligations.
He emphasized the potential benefits of ratifying the lease, highlighting socio-economic development and employment opportunities for the local community.
Members of Parliament commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for facilitating the ratification process and applauded the inclusion of plans to establish a refinery, enhancing value addition to the extracted minerals. They expressed optimism that these initiatives would positively impact Ghana’s economy and benefit its citizens.
In response, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor expressed gratitude for Parliament’s support and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to empowering Ghanaians in the mining sector. He underscored the significance of indigenous participation across the mining value chain, promising to ensure that the benefits of mining activities reach all stakeholders.
The ratification of the mining lease paves the way for the Ghana Bauxite Company to proceed with operations, securing employment for hundreds of workers and contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the region and the nation as a whole.