The Majority in Parliament has declared that the initial 10 per cent royalty rate agreed between the government and Barari DV Ghana Limited for lithium mining was contrary to Ghana’s mining laws. The caucus argues that the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2010, prescribes a fixed royalty rate of 5 per cent for all mining operations, making the 10 per cent clause in the first agreement unlawful.
Their position comes after the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources presented a revised lithium mining agreement to Parliament. The updated deal now reflects the legally mandated 5 per cent royalty rate. However, the revision has attracted criticism from the Minority, who say the new terms are less favourable to the country and reduce potential benefits to the state.
Speaking to journalists, Chairman of the Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Collins Dauda, said Parliament is moving to amend the relevant laws to ensure the mining framework aligns with the revised agreement.
“The government is taking steps to review the laws and the overall mining policy. As lawmakers, we expect the laws we pass to be implemented and obeyed,” he said. “We cannot create legislation demanding compliance and then endorse an agreement that violates those same laws.”
Dauda stressed that Parliament’s duty is to ensure that mining contracts are legally sound and supported by policy reforms that promote consistency, transparency, and effective regulation.