Chamber Of Mines Unveils Local Content Portal

The Ghana Chamber of Mines is leading the digital agenda and raising the status quo in corporate governance with the introduction of an online portal that will provide copious information to the industry players and particularly serve as a reference point for investors in other sectors of the economy.

The Chamber as part of its effort to commemorate the Local Content Day has created the digital platform ( www.ghanachamberofmines.org ) to communicate and disseminate the opportunities available to local businesses and bring more visibility into the value chain of the mining industry.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor said the online portal will provide in-depth information on mining inputs for local manufacturers and suppliers to the industry.

He noted that the portal will support potential investors and local entrepreneurs who can provide these inputs with up-to-date and specific information to prop up the implementation of the local content policy for mining industry.

Mr. Addo-Kufuor indicated that the Chamber appreciates that by supporting local manufacturing and supply of goods and services they enhance Ghana’s efforts to quicken the pace of industrialization, economic growth and job creation.

“Members of the Ghana Chamber of Mines have established a proven (but not well advertised) track-record in supporting indigenous businesses to participate in critical areas of our value chain. We are proud to have been part of the success stories of households names such as Carmeuse Lime Products Ghana, Wafor a leading producer of steel balls for the industry, Zen Petroleum and Interplast to name a few,” he emphasized.

The President of the Chamber stressed that the Chamber has at various times taken voluntary initiatives to promote in-country expenditure on mining inputs such as fabrication of critical components of plant, machinery & equipment and engineering services.

According to him, more needs to be done to enhance the local participation in the value chain of the mining industry hence the continuous collaboration between Minerals Commission and the Chamber to increase the quantum of goods and services we have but locally.

“The Minerals and Mining Act 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining General Regulations (2012), LI 2173 require, among other things, that mining companies procure inputs from Ghana to the maximum extent possible consistent with various economic and technical parameters.

The collaboration initially identified eight mining inputs; the list has now grown to 19 with proposals for additional items. Included are items for which Ghana has a natural competitive advantage for production because of the abundance of raw materials examples of these are caustic soda and activated carbon,” he intimated.