Ghana deputy minister says three firms shortlisted to acquire diamond miner

Three companies have been short listed to take-over Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Limited (GCD), at Akwatia, according to a senior government official.

The companies are Great Consolidated Diamond Limited, Jowac Company Limited and Balaji Limited, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister Baba Jamal told GCD workers, according to modernghana.com.

While 30 companies showed an initial interest, only 18 submitted bids and three meeting the criteria to be short listed.

The Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC) would soon send their choice to cabinet and then to parliament for final approval, Jamal said.

One of the three firms was prepared to invest $70 million and the mineral commission was drawing up an investment plan for the company, he said.

Jamal said the government was against was the illegal mining which had characterised mining in the West African country.