Minerals Commission rubbish claims of granting license for mining near Mole National Park

The Minerals Commission has rubbished claims that it granted permits to mining companies to mine near the Mole National Park in the newly created Savannah Region.

Responding to the claims made by three Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs) – Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis, Centre for Public Interest Law and the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining that the commission issued out permit to explore gold near the Mole National Park, the commission said "this allegations and/or assertion is not the case."

“It has come to the attention of the Minerals Commission that certain Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have alleged that mining permits have been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region. This allegation and/or assertion is not the case. No such Mining Permit has been issued for this purpose,” the statement said.

The commission therefore, urged the CSOs to seek clarification from it before going public with such claims.

These allegations were made a few days after the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources issued a directive suspending all persons undertaken prospecting activities in our forest reserves to halt prospecting till further notice.

The directive also asked the Minerals Commission to stop granting or renewing permits to individuals or companies to prospect in forest reserves.

Below is the statement from the Minerals Commission

REJOINDER: NO PERMIT ISSUED FOR MINING IN OR NEAR MOLE NATIONAL PARK.

It has come to the attention of the Minerals Commission that certain Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have alleged that Mining Permits have been issued for mining in or near the Mole National Park in the Savannah Region. This allegation and/or assertion is not the case. No such Mining Permit has been issued for this purpose.

The Commission as the repository of records of all Mineral Rights in Ghana, entreats the General Public particularly CSOs, who are partners and have been working closely with the Commission over the years, to seek clarifications from it before going public.

End

MR. MARTIN AYISI

AG CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

MINERALS COMMISSION

HEADQUARTERS

ACCRA