The Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) has been given the green light to resume operations after a week shutdown by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister.
In a letter Friday, Kwaku Asoma-Cheremeh said after two meetings with the company and some stakeholders, the parties have agreed to expedite action towards resolution of the issues raised.
“In the light of the good faith shown by the company to work with government towards amicable resolution, including the joint manning of the weighbridge located at the mine and tonnages loaded unto ships to guarantee accurate computation of revenue, I have asked the company to resume its operations,” he said.
On Monday, the Minister ordered the shutdown of GMC until further notice effective Monday, August 5.
Mr Cheremeh said the closure was in response to the company’s inability to fulfil its financial obligations which has resulted in over $300 million loss of revenue to the state.
“We are going to engage them to find an amicable solution to the infraction that they have committed. If indeed they do not have any good explanation for the happenings, then we will arraign them before the court,” he said.
However, Benjamin Atsu Quashie, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, denied allegations that the company is not tax-compliant, citing their records and awards as evidence.
“We will like to state that GMC operates responsibly and honours its statutory obligations. For the sake of clarity, in 2018, the corporation tax liability of the company was $31 million.
“This was settled before December 31, 2018, as required by law. In relation to royalties, the company paid an amount of $17 million in 2018,” GMC said.
But upon positive responses from the stakeholders, the Lands Minister has revoked the move to shut down the GMC.
“Four days ago, I shared with the media the findings of the Technical and Financial Audit carried out on the operations of GMC and also called on the company to suspend its mining operations until further notice.
“After two meetings between representatives of government including the Ministers of Land and Natural Resources, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, top officials from the Minerals Commission and the representatives and management of GMC on August 6 and 9, the parties have agreed to expedite action towards resolution of the issues raised,” the Minister said.
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