Parliament has ratified five mining lease agreements for the mining of gold and other minerals across the country and timber utilisation contracts for 131 companies.

The House ratified the agreements after adopting the Mines and Natural Resources Committee of Parliament’s report presented by Mr Collins Dauda, the Chairman of the Committee, to the plenary.

The mining lease agreements involved the government of Ghana, represented by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Newmont Golden Ridge Limited to mine gold at Akyem East and Akyem West in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.

The other mining companies that had their mining lease agreements ratified by Parliament were Abosso Goldfields Limited in Damang in the Wassa West District of the Western Region, Gateway Exploration Limited for mining of gold at Obobetwao in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region, and GBF Associate Ghana Limited to mine gold and other minerals at Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region.

The agreement is in accordance with Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 54 of the Mining and Minerals Resources Act, 2006 (Act 703).

Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said the ratification of the mining lease agreements would inure to the government of Ghana and host communities, as it would accrue millions of Ghana cedis to the state.

The minister said it would also create jobs for the local communities and transfer expertise and technology to Ghanaians.

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