FOUR BAUXITE MINING COMPANIES TO BEGIN OPERATION—COLLINS DAUDA

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Collins Dauda told Parliament today that Government has granted access to four companies to the bauxite resource area at Nyinahin. These private companies are VIMETCO NV, Alara Resources, Aluminum Company of America and Global Ventures.

The Nyinahin bauxite deposits are so far the largest discovered in the country. It has an estimated resource of 350 million tones at 44.5% alumina and it is located northwest of Nyinahin. The deposit occurs on ten hills stretching for about 32 kilometres from southwest to northeast, from Akokrom Bepo to AYA Bepo respectively. The bauxite occurs as a laterite capping over the hill-tops and ranges in thickness from 12 to over 20 metres.

The MP for Atwima Mponua, Hon. Isaac Asiamah had sought to know from the Minister when the Nyinahin Bauxite Mining Project will commence.

The Minister added that he may grant a mining license to Nyinahin to explore bauxite upon recommendation by the Mining Commission.

The MP for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Hon. Christopher Addae also asked the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources what steps Government is taking to support local mining companies to enhance their capacity to compete effectively in the industry to accrue benefits to the country.

The Minister responded that Government only provides license to Ghanaian small scale miners and gives credit facilities to acquire mining equipment. Government has also advanced loan facilities to some well-organized small scale mining association and cooperatives to assist them in their operations. He added that the Minerals Commission has district offices in the mining areas staffed with mining engineers who render extension services to small scale miners.

The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Hon. Alex Asum-Ahensah   also appeared before the House to respond to questions concerning his Ministry.

 The MP for Sunyani East, Hon. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh sought to find out from the Minister the measures his Ministry was putting in place to minimize chieftaincy conflicts in the country as a whole and Brong Ahafo Region in particular.

The Minister said with regard to Brong Ahafo Region, his Ministry has succeeded in disposing of 10 out of 64 cases pending before the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs adding that his Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to address some of the challenges facing the Regional House of Chiefs and the Traditional/Divisional Council.

This arrangement will ensure that the regional coordinating councils, the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies provide financial and other logistical support to these institutions in their respective areas to effectively and efficiently dispatch their duties, he assured.

Sitting resumes tomorrow.