Maxam Mining Company Slapped With $6M Fine Over Appiatse explosion

The government has imposed a fine of $6 million on Maxam Ghana Limited for the explosion that killed 13 people, leaving many displaced with property destroyed leaving the community flattened.

This was disclosed by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor on Monday, February 7, 2022.

The Minerals Commission shut down the company on Saturday, January 22, 2022, in compliance with a directive by the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry.

The Statement also said sanctions against Jocyderk Logistics Limited and Arthanns Enterprise and Transport Services, two entities involved in the Appiate tragic incident, are being reviewed and will be applied and communicated in due course.

In a press statement signed by the Minister, the government explained that the $6,000,000 is made up of a $1,000,000 fine and $5,000,000 which the company agreed with the Ministry, after extensive discussions, to pay to Government.

The fine comes after the report of the three-member committee constituted by the Minister to undertake independent investigations into the matter affirmed some regulatory breaches on the part of the company, in the manufacture, storage, and transportation of explosives for mining and other civil works.

Although the penalties for the said breaches, pursuant to L.I. 2177, ranges between GHS600 to $10,000, the Statement said the Minister imposed the hefty fine due to the nature and the totality of the circumstance leading to this tragic incident.

The Minister has also set out 14 conditions to be met by the company before the restoration of their operating permit.