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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has imposed an administrative fine totalling US$6 million on Maxam Ghana Limited, for breach of regulation on the manufacture, storage and transportation of explosives.
The Minister in a statement issued noted that per L.I 2177 of the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations 2012 which governs the activities of explosives dealers, every breach attracts fines ranging from GH₵600 to US$10,000.
However, considering the extent of damage caused in the Appiatse explosion, he as the overseer of the activities in the sector has fined the company US$6 million payable to the Government of Ghana.
Part of the fine to be paid to the government is for restoration of permit of the company which the Minister through the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission ordered should be suspended with immediate effect.
“Maxam shall pay the fine of one million United States dollars (US$1,000,000.00) or its cedi equivalent at the prevailing commercial rate before the restoration of its permit to manufacture, store, supply and/or transport explosives,” the statement said.
The statement further added: “Given the demonstrable cash inflows of Maxam and their current circumstances, the remaining five million United States dollars (US$5,000,000.00) shall be paid in eighteen (18) equal monthly installments, beginning from 1st March 2022 to 1st August 2023.”
The imposition of the fine on Maxam Ghana Limited follows investigations the Ministry launched into the Appiatse explosion which occurred on January 20, 2022. This resulted in the death of some 13 persons and several persons sustaining varying degrees of injury.
The explosives were transported from the company’s explosives plant located at Iduaprim, Tarkwa in the Western Region, to Chirano Gold Mines Limited’s site within the same region.
