The Ghana Chamber of Mines has defended the planned renewal of Gold Fields Ghana’s Tarkwa Mine lease, warning that attempts to block the extension could undermine investor confidence and threaten the long-term stability of Ghana’s mining sector. Speaking at the press conference, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Ign. Kenneth Ashigbey, rejected calls by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) for government to deny the lease renewal application. According to the Chamber, Ghana’s mining laws clearly provide for lease extensions where mining companies have complied with statutory obligations. The renewal of the Tarkwa Mine lease is properly a matter to be determined through the established legal, administrative and commercial processes governing mining lease renewals,” Ashigbey stated. Ashigbey argued that Ghana’s emergence as Africa’s leading gold producer had been built on policy continuity, investor confidence and long-term capital inflows from both local and foreign mining...