Atlantic Lithium Has No Contract

…For Ewoyaa Lithium Project

– Minerals C’ssion

The Minerals Commission has stated that government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has not granted contract to any mining firm for exploitation of the Ewoyaa Lithium project in the Central Region.

According to the commission, even though negotiations are ongoing with Atlantic Lithium Limited regarding the development of Ewoyaa Lithium deposits in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region, no contract has been awarded.

In a statement dated, Tuesday, August 22, 2023, copied The Anchor, the Minerals Commission categorically stated that, the only permit Atlantic Lithium Limited has at the moment is a prospecting license, which it acquired through its Ghanaian subsidiary, Barari Development Ghana Limited.

Signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, the statement said, “Consequently, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has not approved any contract, transaction, deal or stake for any person, company or entity in respect of the Ewoyaa Lithium project.”

“Additionally, the Commission is by law mandated to make recommendations to the Minister for the grant of mineral rights including a mining lease. The Commission has not made any such recommendation for the grant of a mining lease to the Minister for the development of the lithium deposits at Ewoyaa. At this stage, Atlantic Lithium Limited still holds a prospecting license in the name of its local subsidiary Barari Development Ghana Limited,” the statement noted.

The commission reiterated that the exploitation of the country’s green minerals, including lithium, will be done in the greater interest and benefit of Ghanaians.

It further said, “The Commission wishes to inform the public that Cabinet on 27 July 2023 approved a new policy framework for the exploitation, management and regulation of lithium and other green minerals in Ghana. The overarching goal of the new framework is anchored on the principle that the exploitation of green minerals including lithium must benefit Ghanaians, who are the true owners of the mineral resources.”

The statement by the Minerals Commission follows claims by Australian mining firm, Piedmont Lithium, that it has acquired a 22.5% stake in Atlantic Lithium’s Ewoyaa project in Ghana.

Piedmont CEO, Keith Phillips, is quoted as saying in a news release “We are pleased with the results of the Ewoyaa lithium project (definitive feasibility study) and our election to earn our initial 22.5% interest in Atlantic Lithium’s Ghanaian lithium project portfolio.”

But the timely clarification by the Minerals Commission would put the issue to rest that government has not granted any authorization to Atlantic Lithium for the exploitation of the Ewoyaa Lithium deposits.

Source: Anchorghana.com