Lithium mining deal returns to Parliament

The government has resubmitted the lithium mining agreement with Barari DV Ghana Limited to Parliament for consideration, after earlier withdrawing the deal to allow for additional consultations with key stakeholders.

The renewed submission has sparked fresh debate, particularly over the proposed five percent royalty rate.

Critics argue that this represents a reduction from the 10 percent rate negotiated under the previous administration and warn that the lower figure could limit Ghana’s ability to gain full value from its lithium resources, which are increasingly important in the global energy transition.

In response, the government has explained that it is working toward broader reforms of Ghana’s mining royalty framework.

According to officials, these reforms are intended to create a more balanced, competitive, and sustainable approach to mineral resource exploitation, rather than focusing on a single agreement in isolation.

Adding to the debate, former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has raised concerns about the fairness of the royalty structure supporting the agreement with Barari DV.

He argued that the existing royalty cap has historically worked against Ghana’s interests, especially in the extraction of high-value minerals such as lithium.