PMMC sets up gold refinery in Ghana

The Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) is establishing a gold refinery in Ghana as part of efforts to add value to the raw material, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has said.

He said government was not happy about the exportation of gold and other raw materials in their raw state, hence the decision to add value to them.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday September 11, Mr Asomah-Cheremeh said: “the country has in the past been exporting gold without refining. Gold has also been exported with the true value or weight determined outside the country.

“To address the issue, government through the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) for the past two (2) years is undertaking assaying to determine the right weight of minerals exported. Similarly, PMMC is establishing a gold refinery to compliment the only one in the country managed by a private company.”

He added : “To ensure sanity in the mining industry and optimal benefit from mining to the people of Ghana as well as investors, the Ministry is mandated by law to safeguard prudent management in the Mining Sub-sector. In this regard government is carrying out Technical and financial audit of the operations of the mining industry.

“As I speak, the Government is looking into the operations of the sole manganese producer in the country to ensure that the company operates within laid out regulations and also to find out their operational challenges.

“Unfortunately, the outcome of the audit resulted into a disagreement between the operator and government. To resolve the issue, government constituted a committee made up of some senior staff and leaders of workers union of the firm and that of government.

“The committee was mandated to look into the issues and advice Government accordingly. As I speak, the committee has submitted its report and is receiving the necessary attention.”

He added : “As a follow up of the outcome of the technical and financial audit, Government is installing weigh bridges at vantage points along high ways between   production sites to the Harbour.

“A  Marine Surveyor has also been engaged at the Takoradi Harbour by the Minerals Commission to ensure recordings of the right tonnage of exported mineral ores.”

Source: Laudbusiness.com/Ghana (nartey.laud@yahoo.com)