Government may not renew Ghana Manganese Company's mining license – Amewu

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu has threatened Tarkwa based Ghana Manganese Company that government may not renew the company’s mining lease license over what the minister describes as flouting of its mining agreement.

He disclosed that Ghana Manganese Company (GMC)’s failure to involve government in pricing manganese ore being sold to a firm in China for processing has the potential of Ghana losing millions of dollars through payments of taxes and royalties.

The displeased and tough speaking minister has therefore instructed Ghana Manganese Company to provide the Minerals Commission with the full details concerning the prices of the ore quickly because government has 10 percent stake in the company.

The minister gave the directive when he led a team from the Ministry, Minerals Commission and Minerals Development Fund to Nsuta in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region, to acquaint himself about the operations of the GMC.

The Chief Operations Officer for Ghana Manganese Company, Benjamin Ato Quarshie, assured the government of complying with the directives as spelt out in Contract Agreement.

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