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MP For Upper Denkyira West Engages Management Of Perseus Mining Ghana Limited
Perseus Mining Commissions $500,000 Market and Lorry Park Project At Denkyira Ayanfuri |
Perseus Mining Ghana Limited has secured a Moratorium to commence Mining in Other Communities In Upper Denkyira West.
Their new mining operations includes Fabinso, Nkotumso, Brofoyedu, and Breman communities.
Speaking at the gathering of Denkyira Chiefs, Elders, and people in the communities he announced the PMGLC land acquisition process and moratorium approval by the minerals commission to develop the NKOSUO PIT.
“I am happy to announce that after subjecting the application of the Mine through its due diligence processes, the Minerals Commission has granted a new mining lease for the Edikan Mine at Nkosuo, covering a total of 289.63 hectares out of its Nanankaw mining lease for Edikan and this paves way for the mine to take ownership of the land to commence its operations. This is indeed a good news worth celebrating with you” he said.
“Having secured the new mining lease, it has become imperative that as a company we take the necessary steps to operationalize the new mining lease area. PMGLC is therefore announcing today the start of its land acquisition process for the development of the Nkosuo pit by declaring a Mining Area (Moratorium) and duly approved by the Minerals Commission. Today, Thursday, October 19, 2023, is the Moratorium date.”
“The Company would live up to its obligations as a law. abiding Company in ensuring that, structures and crops belonging to farmers at Fobinso, Nkotumso, Brofoyedu, and Breman communities that may be impacted by the construction of haul roads and other infrastructural development in the new mining lease area declared for Edikan are duly compensated for,” he added.
The Chairman of the Occasion Nana Dr. Ntiri Twum-Barimah, Denkyira Krontihene urged communities to cooperate with Perseus Mining Limited to ensure effective mining in the area.
“I will ensure that whatever compensations and proper documentation is done to help the people in these areas,” he said.
“The Minerals Commission has granted Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited Company (PMGLC) approval for a Mining Area at Nkosuo giving the company the right to control development in the declared area as per the Minerals and Mining Act (2006), Act 703,” Miss Eunice Donkor, a rep from Minerals Commission said.
“I will advise community members to rather engage the mining company in fruitful discussions than to sort to violence,”She added.
PMGLC will pay compensation to eligible owners and lawful occupiers for crops, buildings, fishponds, and depnvation of use m the Moratonum Area in accordance with the applicable regulation.
Other dignitaries present were Nana Kojo Sebe Agyeman Buabinso Abakomahene, Nana Gyekye Anim Amofahene, MINCOM & EPA Representative, Hon. Francis Agyapong, Assemblymember, Breman Hon. Asiedu Agyeman, Former DCE, UDWDA, Hon. Richmond Koduah, DCE-UDWDA, Hon. Ohene Darko, MP-UDWC, Nana Amoabeng Kosu Il, Chief of Breman Okatakyie Kojo Amanfo Il, Chief of Nkotumso Nana Atobrah Nkwanta I, Chief of Brofoyedur Nana Kofi Duku Il, Chief of Fobinso.
Some community members also shared their displeasure in the process.
Full Speech By the General Manager Edikan Mine- Daniel Egya Mensah
STATEMENT OF DECLARATION OF THE ADDITIONAL MINING AREA AT NKOSUO FOR EDIKAN MINE.
By Daniel Egya-Mensah — General Manager, Edikan Mine, PMGLC
Introduction
Nana Chairman, Dr. Nana Odiamon Twum-Barimah Il, Denkyira Krontihene and Chief of Badoa, Nananom from Denkyira Traditional Council, Nana Amoabeng Kosu ll, Chief of Breman, Nana Atobrah Nkwanta |, Chief of Brofoyedu, Okatakyie Kojo Amanfo tl, Chief of Nkotumso, Nana Kofi Duku Il, Chief of Fobinso, Nana Agyekum Ntiamoah, Aide to Nana Ama Ayensua Saara Ill, Denkyira Queen mother, Queen mothers here present, Madam Eunice Donkor, Principal Community Relations Officer, Minerals Commission, Officials from Land Valuation Division (LVD), Officials from Office of Administrator of Stool Lands ( OASL), Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira West Constituency, former Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira West Constituency, Dunkwa Area Head of EPA, District Chief Executive Officer for Upper Denkyira West, former District Chief Executive Officer for Upper Denkyira West, District Coordinating Director, Members of DISEC, Divisional Police Commander, District Police Commander, Heads of Departments and Agencies, Security personnel, Employees of Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited Company, CEO and Staff of Adio Mabas Ghana Limited, the Clergy, Friends from the Media, Assembly members, Unit Committee members, Chief Farmers, Landowners, Farmers, the Youth, ladies and gentlemen, all protocols observed.
I extend to you special greetings from the MD & CEO of Perseus Mining Limited, Mr Jeffrey Allan Quartermine, and | want to thank you for honoring our invitation to attend this Special Information sharing meeting on the progress of work at Nkosuo though, at a very short notice. Your presence is truly appreciated.
Background
As you might be aware, the Edikan Mine started operating some eleven years ago in May 2012 at its current location. It is one of the entities of Perseus Mining Limited which is headquartered in Perth, in Australia. Since its inception the mine’s developments have been carried out in phases. The first major phase of the development involved the development of three pits. These were the Abenabena, AFGap, and Fobinso as well as the mine infrastructure, that is the processing plant, mine operations, maintenance facilities, administration facilities, water storage facilities, tailing facilities, etc. This is referred to as the “western Side” phase development required for the Start of Production in the initial years of operation.
As far back as 2012, PMGLC received approval from the Minerals Commission for the designation of three new mining areas, namely: Fetish Mining Area Esuajah North Mining Area, and Esuajah South Mining Area, covering a total of 1,040 hectares of its Ayanfuri Mining Lease Area.
Nana Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen, today marks another important milestone in the history of the mine as far as its operational development is concerned. This certainly should be a piece of delightful news to share with you as Our partners. This is the news the mine intends to share with you today. Asa mine we are committed to building a legacy that creates enduring social values for our communities coming out of our commitment to sustainable mining practices and development. After being in active operations over the past 11 years, it has now become necessary to develop an additional pit and its associated infrastructure to sustain the operations and extend the life of the mine. In pursuit of this objective, PMGLC in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), applied to the Minerals Commission of Ghana for
additional mining area for the Edikan Mine.
Nana Chairman, | am happy to announce that after subjecting the application of the Mine through its due diligence processes, the Minerals Commission has granted a new mining lease for the Edikan Mine at Nkosuo, covering a total of 289.63 hectares out of its Nanankaw mining lease for Edikan and this paves way for the mine to take ownership of the land to commence its operations. This is indeed good news worth celebrating with you.
Nana Chairman, having secured the new mining lease, it has become imperative that as a company we take the necessary steps to operationalize the new mining lease area. PMGLC is therefore announcing today the start of its land acquisition process for the development of the Nkosuo pit by declaring a Mining Area (Moratorium) and duly approved by the Minerals Commission. Today, Thursday, October 19, 2023, is the Moratorium date, The Moratorium is a means of enforcing and protecting the rights of PMGLC ‘in the Mining Area. The purpose of today’s function is therefore to officially make this known and declare its intent to this august gathering.
Nana Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, with the declaration of the moratorium, no new developments and improvement of farms or buildings are permitted. The day on which the moratorium or development control is announced is referred to as the “ENTITLEMENT CUT OFF” date. Today, Thursday, October 19, 2023, is therefore the entitlement cut-off date.
All established immovable structures in place and crops in the Mining Area as of Thursday, 19th October 2023 are eligible for compensation.
The essence of the Moratorium The essence of this moratorium, which comes into effect today, the 19″ day of October 2023, aims to officially:
-Inform local communities, land owners, and occupiers of the moratorium and the restrictions on activities in these areas.
-Educate stakeholders (especially local communities and the media fraternity) on the moratorium and the legal basis of the declaration and solicit compliance support.
-Ensure consistent flow of information on the Nkosuo area land take and to explain every stage of the implementation process to the Project Affected
People (PAP) and the public.
-Educate the public on the consequences of non-compliance, and
-Inform local communities, landowners, and occupiers that enforcement notices will be issued to individuals who will engage in or support speculative activities.
Whilst this is the case, the Company would live up to its obligations as a law. abiding Company in ensuring that, structures and crops belonging to farmers at Fobinso, Nkotumso, Brofoyedu, and Breman communities that may be impacted by the construction of haul roads and other infrastructural development in the new mining lease area declared for Edikan are duly compensated for. Operations of Edikan in the new mining area is also likely to impact On Crops and some structures at Breman, specifically at Nkatieso, Tseodi, and Wiawso. All these farming areas are on the Nkotumso — Nkasawore Stool Land in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region of the Republic of Ghana.
May, I however reiterate that, whilst the Company will stay true to its commitment to compensating occupiers of land and other farmers whose existing crops and structures may be impacted by the operations of the Company in her new mining lease area, the Company at the same time would be guided by the relevant provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703 in undertaking this activity. As a result, only established immovable structures in place and crops in the Mining Area as of today Thursday, 19″ October 2023 will be eligible for compensation. Compensation payable would be in line with the law for crops, fishponds, buildings (immovable structures), and deprivation of use of the land.
Nana Chairman, may | also emphasize strongly that all structures and crops established in the Mining Area after today, Thursday, 19” October 2023 will NOT be eligible for compensation. This will go a long way to ensuring that not only are the rights of the Company protected but also respected.
Mining Area Management
Nana Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, to ensure an effective management of the new Mining area declared for the operations of the Mine, the company has put in place an elaborate process for the purpose. This process without doubt will be beneficial to all stakeholders and the Company. Specifically, it will include the demarcation of the mining area boundary, taking of an aerial photography to show the status of crops and buildings as of the date of the Moratorium,
undertaking building and land survey works, asset survey which will entail the inspection and collection of details of owners and lawful occupiers. These actions would be necessary in determining the compensation entitlements. The asset survey will also involve the use of an Independent Valuer in collaboration with the owners or lawful occupiers, Land Valuation Division Officers (as required by law), community representatives (as best practice), and Perseus representatives. Post Declaration Engagement
As part of the post-moratorium activities, several engagements Will be required beyond today’s session. To this end, the Company Socia and Community Development unit within our Health, Safety, Environment & Community (HSEC) Department under the leadership of Jar. Emmanuel Danso will be at the forefront in changing such sessions. It is expected that these engagements will involve opinion leaders, youth associations, Compensation Negotiation Committees (CNC), etc.
Conclusion
Nana Chairman, Dr. Nana Odiamon Twum-Barimah Il, Denkyira Krontihene and Chief of Badoa and Nananom here gathered, Queen mothers here Present, distinguished invited guests, friends from the media, colleagues from PMGLC, aif protocols observed, as a Mine we are committed to promoting sustainable mining and development in our catchment communities. Cardinal to our values, as a responsible Company, is to continually work with all our stakeholders in all our engagements as it aligns with our mission of generating material benefits for all our stakeholders in fair and equitable proportions. We are therefore committed to building a legacy that creates enduring social values for our communities well into the future. The Nkosuo Project is one of such vehicle for achieving such a goal. We are hereby seeking your individual and collective support in achieving this objective. I have no doubt at all in my mind
count on your support.
Thanks very much for your audience and may the good Lord bless us
