Mining companies in Ghana to be compelled to procure majority of products locally

The Minerals Commission and the Chamber Of Mines have directed that from January, operators in the industry would be compelled by law to purchase majority of their raw materials locally.

The move is in line with government’s effort to promote the local content policy in the mining industry and it is in accordance with the Minerals and Mining regulations, Mr Isaac Abraham, Public Relations Officer of the Mineral Commission said.

“From January 1, 2016 holders of mineral rights and mine support service providers will extend their local supply sourcing to cover additional products of goods and services”, he said.

Mr Abraham was speaking at a three day workshop organized by the Corporate Ghana Foundation (CGF).

Participants for the event included traditional authorities, minerals and mining companies, civil societies, and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies among others.

The workshop dubbed: “Ghana Minerals and Mining Indaba” was held on the theme “celebrating our minerals industry and creating our future”.

He said the measure is aimed at promoting the growth of the economy, particularly in the manufacturing sector and help reduce imports.

Mr Abraham said an additional 19 local products that add up to the existing eight totaling 27; constitute the second edition of the local procurement list for the mining industry.

He said the items included grinding media, explosives emulsion, cement products,grout, quick and hydrated lime, electrical cables, high density polyethylene, polyvingyl chloride pipes, general lubricants and retreading of tyres.

The rest are bolts/nuts, crucibles, plastic sample bags, calico bags, bullion boxes, chain-link fencing wire netting/barbed wire, conveyor rollers, metal, clothes, haulage services and catering services.

Mr Abraham said “if as a country we can invest on value addition to our mineral resources and use some as a primary commodity to catalyze the development of other sectors of the economy, most of these issues would be resolved”.

During open discussion, the traditional authorities said they were not to be blamed illegal mining in the communities as some of the illegal miners possessed sophisticated weapons.

Nana Kwame Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the CGF, said the foundation is committed to raising the quality of life for people especially those the areas where mining firms operate.

Source: GNA