Obuasi Gold will employ more than 2,000 people – Akufo-Addo

General News on Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Source: Starrfmonline.com

2019-01-22

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reopened the Anglogold Ashanti Gold Mine in Obuasi, closed since 2014.

Addressing the leaders and people of Obuasi, on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, Akufo-Addo noted that upon taking office, a series of discussions and negotiations had taken place, the final result being the redevelopment project of the Obuasi mine. .

"In order to help Anglogold Ashanti to secure the necessary investments for this project, the government was to provide a number of tax incentives and ensure the stability of the project against changes in the legal environment, particularly at the beginning of mine operation, "he said.

The President continued: "It is expected that all agreements reached, including the vigorous implementation of the national content policy, will be scrupulously honored and executed. The initial investment in the redevelopment project amounts to $ 881 million, with a total investment of $ 1.6 billion expected for the life of the mine, of a duration 22 years old. The entire investment package has been approved by Parliament. "

With nearly two thousand five hundred (2,500) jobs to create, he was confident that Obuasi, a once vibrant city, would be brought back to life, with improved living conditions for its residents.

In addition, President Akufo-Addo said the government is expected to generate revenues of about 2.16 billion US dollars over the next twenty-two (22) years, royalties and corporate taxes and holdbacks. source.

"I badure the management and staff of the mine that the sequence of events that led to the closure of the mine will no longer occur under the supervision of this government. The days of encroachment on the company's concession, as evidenced by the years 2010 to 2016, are over, "he added.

In "Obuasi 's" state of distress ", the President said that the time had come for him to take into account the fact that he is harboring the mine. gold the richest in the country and one of the richest in the world.

While recognizing that mining companies have, in recent years, completed some of the government's work, he hoped that Anglogold Ashanti would do more this time to help transform Obuasi and put it on par with mining communities. well developed from other regions. parts of the world.

"When government and mining companies collaborate in an intelligent and sustainable way, more can be done to transform mining communities. I have no doubt that Anglogold, under his current leadership, will be a constructive partner in this venture, "added President Akufo-Addo.

With regard to lifting the ban on small-scale mining, he said that with considerable success, the government had been able to streamline and regulate the small-scale mining sector.

"We are committed to responsible mining, and I call on you, Nananom, to help the government ensure future generations a landscape and vegetation on which they can also survive and thrive. I am happy to say that today, people are fishing again in one of the famous rivers of our country, Ankobra, "said the president.

As reported in the 2019 budget, he told chiefs and residents that the construction contract for the Obuasi-Anhwia-Nkwanta road had been awarded to Joshob Construction Limited, who is already working on the site.

"Once again, the government will soon accept the plan to sell badets of Anglogold Ashanti, which will pave the way for the launch of the future Obuasi campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology," was -he adds.