Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has announced that Ghana has reclaimed its position as the number one gold-producing country in Africa.
In a statement release issued by the Minister, he attributed this “remarkable feat’’ to the policies being initiated by the government of Ghana.
“This remarkable feat is attributed to the policies and programs being implemented by the Akufo-Addo government in close collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Mines,’’ parts of the statement sighted by 1Family Radio noted.
“Gold production by large-scale mining companies increased from 2.72 million ounces in 2021 to 3.08 million ounces in 2022, while gold exports from the small-scale sector rose from 98,001 ounces to 655,656 ounces over the same period. Overall, the country’s gold output increased from 2.82 million ounces in 2021 to 3.74 million ounces in 2022.’’
“It could be recalled that following the active intervention of the president of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, which was put under care and maintenance in 2016, was revived in 2019. The Bibiani Mine, which had been dormant for seven years, was also revived in October 2022,’’ the statement read.
“The revival of these two mines, the expansion of output by some existing mines, and the reduction of the withholding tax rate on unprocessed gold by small-scale miners, which was introduced in 2015, from three percent to one and a half percent, have significantly contributed to Ghana’s new position on the continent.’’
“The government remains committed to increasing the contribution of the mining industry to the local economy through local content and local participation, as well as value addition to minerals mined,’’ the minister stated.
Source: 1Familyradio
