By Nana Asare Mireku
Cayco Ghana Limited’s attempts to re-establish an Alluvial Mining Project at Topremang in the Denkyembour District of the Eastern Region was met with some form of resistance from the Chiefs and people of the Community.
At a Public Hearing organized in the Community by the Eastern Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency, they recounted how affected persons were not properly resettled and compensated by the same company some years back when they operated in the Community.
They however hoped that the appropriate measures will be put in place by properly compensating affected persons, employing indigenes and protecting their water bodies, in the event that all approval to operate requirements are met.
The Deputy Director of Mining at the Environmental Protection Agency, Haron Harrison Afful disclosed that the project will not affect any structure in the Community, therefore, there will be no need for resettlement.
”EPA will soon issue the company with the Environmental Permit which comes with conditions, including compensation to affected persons”, he noted.
The Mining Engineer of the company, Felix Owusu-Agyemang disclosed that, apart from key technical personnel, the Company will source 75% of its labor from the catchment Communities.
”In line with their Corporate Social Responsibility Agreement through the District Development Plan, Cayco Ghana Limited will invest in Community infrastructure such as roads, boreholes, clinics and schools”, he added.
