President Akufo-Addo has directed that US$5M out of the US$6M to be paid by Maxam be donated to the Appiatse support fund.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said the directive follows an administrative fine of $1million imposed on the company.
The amount would support the reconstruction of the community which was destroyed following the explosion which led to the death of some 13 persons.
Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has since directed the Minerals Commission to pay the $5million into the fund.
The Lands and natural resources Minister imposed a $1 million fine on the company before their permit would be given back to them to resume work.
The company was also fined an additional US$5 million which they have a year to pay.
In a statement issued by the company on Tuesday [February 8, 2022], the company agreed to pay the money but said, “although the breaches found by the Minister did not cause the incident, the company had decided to pay the fine and comply with the measures imposed by the Minister.”
The fine followed an explosion, which occurred on Thursday, January 20, 2022, when a truck carrying explosives from Maxam’s Iduapriem plant in Tarkwa to Chirano Gold Mines Limited, was involved in an incident.
The accident led to the death of 13 people and the destruction of the entire Appiatse community.
Maxam indicated that they did not believe they committed any regulatory breaches.
However, to ensure the continuity of their business, and to be able to supply their customers and protect the employment of their workers, they will pay the fine imposed by the Minister.
It further expressed their preparedness to comply with the new regulatory measures announced by the Minister to ensure that their operations are in accordance with the laws of Ghana and international best practices
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana