Perseus declares moratorium on three mining areas

Perseus Mining Ghana Limited, in accordance with the Mining and Mineral Law (2006) Act 703, has officially declared a Moratorium on development in three of the mining areas in the Ayanfuri mining lease, namely Esuajah North, Esuajah South and the Fetish mining areas.

Under the Eastern Pits of the Edikan project, the area covers a total of approximately 1,040 hectares.

In an interaction to announce the declaration, and also to seek the support of the media towards the success of the project, Dr. Fredrick Amoako Addison,

Project Manager, explained that the declaration of the moratorium meant that the three areas are mining areas, and therefore, no new developments and improvement of farms are permitted.

'Act 703 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, stipulates that no one should upgrade to a higher value, crop or plant any new crops, or construct new buildings, or put up any development on the land in the mining area after the Declaration of Moratorium, so in other words, the moratorium seeks to enforce and protect the rights of Perseus in the mining area.'

He said Perseus was committed to engaging with its stakeholders, with the aim of continuously informing and educating local communities and local landowners and occupiers on the key Moratorium Area declaration dates, and the restrictions that will be placed on activities in these areas.

According to him, the engagement also seeks to educate stakeholders (especially local communities and the media fraternity) about the legal basis for PMGL's Mining Area, Moratorium Area declarations, and to enlist support for its compliance.

'We also want to ensure consistent flow of information about the Eastern Area land take, and to explain every stage of the implementation process to projected affected people and the public, educate stakeholders on the need for enforcement, and adherence to the declaration, educate the public on sanctions for non-compliance, and to inform local communities, landowners and occupiers that enforcement notices will be issued to individuals who are engaged in or supporting speculative activities, informing them of PMGL's rights', he added.

Dr. Addison noted that an asset survey had been completed, and that the amount of compensation payable to each affected person would be determined either from rates agreed to at negotiations or appropriate rates (in the case of structures) determined by an independent valuer.