Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines and also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Hon George Mireku Duker, has called on all mining stakeholders and traditional authorities to actively support and ensure the sustainability of Atlantic Lithium Limited in the country.
Their support, he said, would not only trigger the economic progress in the Central region but also benefit the youth in the community and Ghana as a whole.
The Deputy Minister made the call when he led a delegation from the Ministry and the Minerals Commission on a working visit to the site of Atlantic Lithium yesterday, in the Mankessim Municipality of the Central Region.
Hon. Duker reiterated that, the terms of Atlantic Lithium’s mining lease is one of the best in the world and would deliver prosperity to the country. He emphasized that, the 13% state interest was one of the best in the world.
He also said by increasing the royalty regime from the existing five per cent to 10%, the operations of Atlantic Lithium would immensely benefit the country compared with other leases.
Hon. Mireku Duker commended Atlantic Lithium for respecting the local content policy that ensures that its managerial workforce largely are Ghanaians.
The Deputy Minister’s entourage included the Advisor of Mines to the Minister, Technical Director of Mines at the Ministry, Mr Peter Awuah, and other officials of the Ministry and Minerals Commission.
The General Manager of Atlantic Lithium, Mr Ahmed Salim, in a presentation updated the visiting Team on the operations of the company. He appealed to government to take steps for Parliament to ratify the lease agreement for the company to start commercial operation next year.
The Team, led by the Deputy Minister also paid a visit to the bereaved family of the recent accident victim of the mine and presented some items assuring them of the Government’s support and the company’s efforts to put in place competent and adequate measures to prevent future occurrence.
