GSBPL says its has not ceded its concession

Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited (GSBPL), a mining company operating in the Mansiso Community in Wassa Amenfi East District of Western Region on Thursday said Management had not ceded portion of their concession to any group.

Mrs Elaine Kwami, Group Manager of the Public Affairs Unit of the GSBPL noted that the company is rather in the process of obtaining a mining lease.

She said the power to allocate licenses for mining is vested only in the Minerals Commission and not individuals or companies.

“It is therefore incorrect to claim that GSBPL has ceded any part of the Mansiso concession to any person or group of persons,” she stressed.

She said the GSBPL obtained the Mansiso concession in 2003 and had so far carried out reconnaissance and prospecting activities and entered into separate sub-agreements with the community including the traditional rulers.

The agreements, she said, contained relationship and sustainable livelihood, local employment and a development foundation. She said the company as a license holder is enjoined to secure the area and carry out all activities in a responsible and environmentally-friendly manner.

Mrs Kwami said the host community has not been ignored in the company’s activities. She said Management found it unfortunate that a section of the community demonstrated against the company due to media reports that GSBPL had ceded part of its concession. Mrs Kwami complained about the operations of illegal miners who degrade the environment and pollute the river bodies with impunity.

She said the miners disregard the mining regulations and called for a halt to the unpatriotic practice.