Parliament Ratifies Ghana Bauxite Company’s Mining Lease

Parliament has unanimously ratified the mining lease granted by the government to Ghana Bauxite Company to mine bauxite at Awaso in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.

This was after a joint Parliamentary Committee of Mines and Energy and Lands and Forestry presented its report to the House on Wednesday.

The Awaso bauxite mine forms an integral part of the government’s policy to build an integrated aluminium industry in the country. The Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC), which was established to promote and develop an integrated aluminium industry in the country, has identified this mine as one of its four Projects to build an integrated industry.

As part of its strategy, GIADEC is working with strategic investors to expand the mine and build a refinery solution to refine bauxite mined in the area.

Following the expiration of its mining lease, the Company was granted a new lease on 3rd May 2024, covering the Kanayerebo, Subri, Nchiniso, Afumba and Bokahirri Hills in Awaso.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor, presented the mining lease to Parliament for ratification, in accordance with article 268(1) of the 1992 Constitution and the Speaker referred it to the Joint Committee of Mines and Energy and Lands and Forestry.

Presenting the report of the Joint Committee to Parliament, the Chairman, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, said the request by the Minister for the mining lease to be ratified was in accordance with the constitutional provision which ensures parliamentary oversight over the management and utilization of the natural resources of the country.

He said the mining lease was consistent with the Constitution and relevant laws of the country and ratifying it would bring tremendous benefits to the government and promote the socio-economic development of the area.

He expressed the Committee’s satisfaction that the company has the financial and technical capacities to execute its obligations under the lease and recommended the lease for ratification.

Members of the House praised the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources for bringing the lease to the House for ratification.

They noted that the constitutional provision which requires Parliamentary ratification of mining leases has been violated by successive Governments since 1992 and congratulated the Minister and the government for securing a Ghanaian investor to invest in this strategic Mine, which makes the Mine wholly owned by Ghanaians.

They lauded the government for incorporating plans to build a refinery into the agreement to ensure value addition to the minerals mined and expressed optimism that these measures would benefit Ghanaians.

On his part, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor, thanked the house and the members of the Committee for their diligence and for unanimously supporting the motion for the ratification of the mining lease.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to indigenising the mining industry and was working with all stakeholders to ensure that Ghanaians participate fully across the mining industry’s full value chain.

The ratification of the mining lease grants the company full rights to operate the mine, secure the employment of hundreds of people who depend on the mine and contribute to the socio-economic development of the community and the country.

Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD