We’ve not destroyed virgin forest – C&G Aleska

Licensed mining company C&G Aleska has denied reports it is engaging in illegal mining leading to the destruction of 24, 000 acres of virgin forest reserve in Denkyira.

C&G Aleska said although duly licensed to operate, it has become a victim and “been unfairly dealt with by the Inter Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Mining and other government agencies.”

“We acquired a mining lease agreement dated December 23, 2016, between the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources on the one part and on the other part, the government of Ghana granted a mining lease over an area measuring approximately 21.54 square kilometres within the Upper Wassaw Forest Reserve in the Western Region for the plaintiff to mine for gold for a period of 10 years,” the company said in a statement.

It added: “In the course of the preparatory works to commence mining activities, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining taskforce on February 9, 2019, invaded the company’s mining concession, seized its machinery, equipment and moneys without taking inventory and without any form of explanation.

“The seized equipment and moneys run into several millions of cedis.

“We have since the seizure, not been able to operate. We have petitioned the Presidency and even filed a suit at the High Court against the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Attorney-General, demanding that our moneys and equipment be released to us among other reliefs.”

Read Full Statement Below:

REJOINDER TO NEWS ITEM TITLED: “HOW C&G ALESKA MINING DESTROYED 24,000 ACRES OF VIRGIN FOREST RESERVE IN DENKYIRA”

The attention of C&G Aleska, a licensed mining company, has been drawn to a news item indicating it had allegedly connived with Chinese nationals to destroy 24,000 acres of virgin forest.

We deny this story in its entirety and wish to place on record that we are a licenced mining company who, have been unfairly dealt with by the Inter Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Mining and other government agencies.

We acquired a mining lease agreement dated December 23, 2016, between the Government of Ghana acting through the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources on the one part and on the other part, the government of Ghana granted a mining lease over an area measuring approximately 21.54 square kilometres within the Upper Wassaw Forest Reserve in the Western Region for the plaintiff to mine for gold for a period of 10 years.

Prior to the grant of the mining lease, we obtained the necessary entry permits from the Forestry Commission to enable us to commence operations in the Upper Wassaw Forest Reserve in the Western Region.

We entered the Upper Wassaw Forest Reserve to prepare the mining concession in order to commence mining operations.

In the course of the preparatory works to commence mining activities, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining taskforce on February 9, 2019, invaded the company’s mining concession, seized its machinery, equipment and moneys without taking inventory and without any form of explanation.

The seized equipment and moneys run into several millions of cedis.

We have since the seizure, not been able to operate. We have petitioned the Presidency and even filed a suit at the High Court against the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Attorney-General, demanding that our moneys and equipment be released to us among other reliefs.

Our licensed company, which operates under strict environmental compliance, is clearly the victim of the situation as illegal miners have taken over our lands. They are destroying portions of the land assigned us and it is, rather unfortunate for some elements to turn around and blame us (the victims).

C&G Aleska will soon come out with a documentary to show how illegal miners have been destroying our concession. The documentary will give viewers a clear picture of how the activities of illegal miners are causing the government to lose billions in revenue generation through taxes and other fees.

We have invested so much into the area and at no point would we engage in activities harmful to the environment.

We are by this rejoinder, requesting for a retraction and apology of the false story; failure, which would leave us no option, than to resort to lawful means to have our name cleared.

EMMANUEL DONALD ENTSUAH

GENERAL MANAGER

C&G ALESKA MINING CO. LTD