Nii Osah Mills calls for calm

The Minister of Mines and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills, has called for calm amid rising tension over demands for AngloGold Ashanti to cede part of its mining concession to artisanal miners for their operations.

He made the call after he met separately with management of the global mining company, leadership of the small-scale miners, and the municipal security committee behind closed doors in Obuasi.

The small-scale miners recently held a series of demonstrations to put pressure on AngloGold to let go part of its vast acquired land.

The minister, accompanied by his Deputy, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said every effort will be made to resolve the matter in a way that results in a win-win for all sides.

He told journalist that the company has already signalled its intention to give up 270 square kilometr’s of its concession as part of a planned programme to restructure its operations.

This is equivalent to 60 percent of its legally held land, and Nii Osah Mills said when AngloGold is through with the process there will be enough space available for other companies and small-scale miners to apply and work on.

He therefore encouraged the artisanal miners to pool together and form groups to formally acquire part of the ceded land for doing business -- reminding them to get right with the law by accepting to follow due processes.

Mr. Haruna Seidu Aboagye, Secretary-Obuasi Small Scale Miners Association, welcomed the minister’s intervention and pledged their cooperation.

He however discounted the move by AngloGold to surrender a portion of its concession, saying, what is on offer has already been mined and is not viable economically.