Accra, Nov. 23, -The Ghana
Chamber of Mines has launched an online portal to provide information to
industry players on the opportunities available to local businesses and to
bring more visibility into the value chain of the mining industry.
The portal will provide in-depth
information on mining inputs for local manufacturers and suppliers to the
mining industry.
Speaking at the launch of the
local content day and the online portal the President of the Ghana Chamber of
Mines, Mr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, said the portal would support potential investors
and local entrepreneurs who can provide these inputs with up-to-date and
specific information to prop up the implementation of the local content policy
for mining industry.
Mr. Addo-Kufuor said the Chamber
believed that offering support to local manufacturers and supply of goods and
services; it would help quicken the pace of industrialization, economic growth
and job creation.
“Members of the Ghana Chamber of
Mines have established a proven (but not well advertised) track-record in
supporting indigenous businesses to participate in critical areas of our value
chain. We are proud to have been part of the success stories of households
names such as Carmeuse Lime Products Ghana, Wafor a leading producer of steel
balls for the industry, Zen Petroleum and Interplast to name a few,” he said.
Mr Addo-Kufuor said the Chamber
had taken voluntary initiatives to promote in-country expenditure on mining
inputs such as fabrication of critical components of plant, machinery and
equipment as well as engineering services.
However, he said more needed to
be done to enhance the local participation in the value chain of the mining
industry, hence the continuous collaboration between Minerals Commission and
the Chamber to increase the quantum of goods and services locally.
The Minerals and Mining Act 2006
(Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining General Regulations (2012), LI 2173
require, among other things, that mining companies procure inputs from Ghana to
the maximum extent possible consistent with various economic and technical
parameters.
The collaboration initially
identified eight mining inputs; the list has now grown to 19 with proposals for
additional items.
Included are items for which Ghana
has a natural competitive advantage for production because of the abundance of
raw materials examples of these are caustic soda and activated carbon,” he
intimated.
Mr John Peter Amewu, the Minister
of Lands and Natural Resources, who launched the portal, commended the Ghana
Chamber of Mines for the initiative.
He said plans were far advanced
for the engagement of a local content desk officer at the Ministry to drive the
supply programme development.
He said cabinet had given
approval for the set up of a supply centre development in Ghana which will work
with the Chamber to advance the cause of local content.
The portal can be reached at
www.ghanachamberofmines.org.
GNA
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