Ghana was well represented at the 2018 PDAC held in Toronto, Canada this week at the Metro Convention Centre.

Ghana’s delegation was led by the Hon. Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Barbara Oteng Gyasi. Other members of the delegation included, the Board Chairman of the Minerals Commission, Hon. S. K. Boafo, Hon. Duker (MP or Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency and Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy.

The Government of Ghana also mounted a booth which was manned by officials from the Minerals Commission.

The delegation participated in a number of events and meetings largely facilitated by the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Heather Cameron.

Key among the events were the Northern Ontario Mining showcase, Meeting with Quebec Ministry of Economic, Science and Innovation, Meeting with Canadian Resources Development Institute and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

At the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase, Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi articulated the vision of GhanaBeyond Aid using our mineral resources.

She said, besides the traditional minerals being mined, Ghana is looking at diversifying the mining sector. Key minerals that are currently being promoted include; iron ore for an integrated iron and steel industry, bauxite for the alumina-aluminium industry, lithium, base metals, solar salt etc.

The Deputy Minister praised the Canadian companies operating in Ghana, such as Golden Star Resources, Asanko Mines for efficiency of their operations as well as significant CSR projects being undertaken in the mining communities.

She assured investors of Government’s commitment to address the challenge of VAT on exploration activities such as drilling and laboratory analysis of samples.

Hon Barbara also assured investors, including mine support service companies to take advantage of Ghana’s conducive investment environment for win-win circumstances.

The delegation also participated in the award ceremony of GSR Ltd. GSR was adjudged the 2018 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) company for CSR activities.

The Board Chairman of the Minerals Commission also participated in the closing of the TSX. Hon. S. K. Boafo was given the rare opportunity to be part of the African delegation that rang the closing bells.

Indeed Canada is the world leader for access to capital in the mining sector. About 57 percent of the global mining financing were done on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the TSX Venture Exchanges (TSXV) in 2016. Almost 64 billion mining shares were traded on the TSX in 2016 with a total value of CND$189 billion.