Martin Kwaku Ayisi, CEO of the Minerals Commission
The Minerals Commission has refuted claims that Future Global Resources (FGR) Bogoso Prestea Ltd., operators of the Prestea-Bogoso Mine, are currently under care and maintenance.
In a press statement issued by the Corporate Affairs Department of the Commission yesterday, it clarified that it had not received any formal request from FGR regarding placing the mine under care and maintenance.
The statement emphasised that the Prestea-Bogoso Mine is presently under the control of FGR Bogoso Prestea Ltd and its principal shareholder, Blue International Holdings Limited based in the United Kingdom.
The Commission stated that neither they nor the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources had received any application or request from FGR to suspend operations and place the mine under care and maintenance.
However, the Commission assured that if a formal request was submitted, it would be duly considered under section 51 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
“For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Ministry nor the Commission has received a formal application or request from FGR to put the Mine under Care and Maintenance. An application to suspend production is clearly set out in section 51 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), which requires the holder of the Mining Lease to serve a notice to that effect on the Minister.
“As indicated earlier, no such request or application has been submitted to the Minister. In the event that such an application is received, it shall be considered in accordance with applicable Regulations and the current state of the mine, and a decision taken in the best interest of the Country,” the statement outlined.
The Commission assured the public of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the effective and efficient management of the country’s mineral resources.
It also pledged to continue protecting mining investments and safeguarding the interests of local communities, jobs, and revenue generation for the benefit of Ghana.
Demonstration
Meanwhile, mine workers of the Future Global Resources Bogoso-Prestea Mines (FGR) have demonstrated against what they say is the mismanagement of the mine, which they claim has affected productivity and the payment systems of workers.
Speaking to the media during the demonstration, the General Secretary of the senior staff union of FGR Bogoso-Prestea Mines, Samuel Kumi Manu, and other workers said the mine had not seen any investment since FGR took over in 2020.
They, thus, called on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to demand proof of financial capability from FGR to determine whether the mine should be taken from them.
“We want the sector minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, to take action because we know on record that the minister has, on two occasions, issued ultimatums to FGR to show proof of financial capability.
“However, on both occasions, FGR has failed to comply. This implies that FGR does not have the means to operate the mine. Therefore, we expect the Minister to intervene and transfer it to a credible investor who can inject financial capacity into the operation, as what we lack now is finances,” the workers demanded.
About The Author
