The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, has directed the Minerals Commission, to suspend Joceyderk Company Limited, a logistics firm, from any mining registration until investigations have been concluded.
The Minister’s directive comes on the back of preliminary investigation conducted, which revealed that Maxam, the Company whose truck caused the explosion at Apiate, near Bogoso, in the Western Region, also subcontracted the transportation of the explosives to Joceyderk.
“Preliminary investigations show that Maxam Ghana Limited sub-contracted Jocyderk Logistics Limited, a company registered by the Minerals Commission to undertake clearing, warehousing and transportation of explosives, to transport the said explosives on behalf of Maxam Ghana Limited,” the Minister stated in a letter, dated 24th January, 2022 and addressed to the Chief Executive of Minerals Commission, which this paper chanced on.
Government, has commenced extensive investigations into the matter, including, the cause and the immediate aftermath of the incident. To ensure the fair and impartial investigations into the incident, you are hereby directed, in accordance with article 297 of the constitution, and regulation 27 of the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2177), to suspend the registration of Joceyderk Logistics Limited with the Minerals Commission, thereby precluding the company from mining and line support services, pending the outcome of the investigations in this matter.
It will be recalled that last Thursday, January 20, 2022, a truck carrying explosives intended for mining, exploded at Apiate, in the Prestea Huni-Valley District of the Western Region, causing extensive damage to life and property.
