Maxam Ghana Limited, the company, at the center of the Appiatse explosion has been fined US$6 million by government following recommendation by the committee tasked to probe the explosion.
The fine is contained in the preliminary reports of the committee.
“Upon a review of the two reports, the Ministry has established regulatory breaches on the part of Maxam Ghana Limited, in respect of the manufacture, storage and transportation of explosives for mining and other civil works.
These breaches, per L.I. 2177, attract fines ranging from six hundred cedis (GH¢600.00) to ten thousand United States dollars (US$10,000).
“Nonetheless, having regard to the nature and totality of the circumstances leading to this tragic incident, I, as the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources, and, therefore, the overseer of activities in the sector, have imposed an administrative fine of the cedi equivalent of one million United States dollars (US$1,000,000.00), at the prevailing commercial rate, on Maxam.
In addition to the fine, it has been agreed, after extensive discussions with Maxam that the company will pay to the Government, the cedi equivalent of five million United States dollars (US$5,000,000.00) also at the prevailing commercial rate.
For the avoidance of doubt, the total amount payable by Maxam to the Government stands at six million United States dollars (US$6,000,000.00) or its cedi equivalent at the prevailing commercial rate,” portions of the report said.
Background
On Thursday January 20, 2022, a DAF truck carrying explosive materials believed to be Ammonium Nirate, and Fuel Oil (ANFO), with registration number, WR 2252-18, said to be driven by Mr. Alfred Pappoe, en route to the Chirano Gold Mines in the Western North Region, exploded, killing at least 13 people.
The explosion occurred at Appiatse, which is between Bogoso and Bawdie, after an earlier accident involving a motorcycle, Pragya and other vehicles resulted in the motorbike sliding under the truck carrying the explosives.
According to a police situational report, the motorcycle, in the process, caught fire and ignited the truck, which detonated the explosives estimated at about 10 tonnes, resulting in the blast.
The driver and dozens who sustained injuries were rushed to various hospitals.
The thunderous explosion caused extensive damage after levelling residential buildings.
Most of the survivors were those who were far from the scene, on farms and on errands.
The police added that vehicles plying the road were damaged, while many passengers and inhabitants sustained varying degrees of injury.
