Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi has clarified that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor has not approved any contract, transaction, deal or stake for any person, company or entity in respect of the Ewoyaa Lithium project.
According to the CEO, the Commission is by law mandated to make recommendations to the Minister for the grant of mineral rights including a mining lease.
In a communique sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it read "Consequently, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has not approved any contract, transaction, deal or stake for any person, company or entity in respect of the Ewoyaa Lithium project"
He added that the Commission has not made any such recommendation for the grant of a mining lease to the Minister for the development of the lithium deposits at Ewoyaa.
Mr. Ayisi stressed that Atlantic Lithium Limited still holds a prospecting licence in the name of its local subsidiary Barari Development Ghana Limited.
"In this regard, negotiations are ongoing with Atlantic Lithium Limited on the development of the Ewoyaa Lithium deposits in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region"
The Minerals Commission noted that its attention has been drawn to a news release by Piedmont Lithium in respect of the company’s acquisition of a stake in the Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana.
"The Commission wishes to inform the public that Cabinet on 27 July 2023 approved a new policy framework for the exploitation, management and regulation of lithium and other green minerals in Ghana"
It added that the overarching goal of the new framework is anchored on the principle that the exploitation of green minerals including lithium must benefit Ghanaians who are the true owners of the mineral resources.
The Commission wishes to remind the media and public of the commitment of the Government to ensure that that the country reaps optimum benefits from the exploitation of lithium and other green minerals.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith