Minerals Commission allocates ceded concession to artisanal miners

The Minerals Commission says it has begun the process of allocating the 60% ceded concession of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine to registered Artisanal and Small Scale Miners.

This comes after AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited successfully completed the process of surrendering 60% of the Obuasi concession to government.

Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission Dr. Toni Aubynn explained: “This means that the land which was not previously used can now be brought into productive use. Out of this land we will cede some to small-scale miners -- and in fact we have begun demarcating the land to the miners. So if the complaint in the past was that there was no land to mine, then now we have the land and are collaborating with district assemblies and all other stakeholders to work”.

Meanwhile, the Commission is appealing to Artisans and Small Scale Miners who continue to occupy AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi concession to end their invasion. 

AngloGold Ashanti continues to complain about an invasion of its mine by illegal miners -- leading to damage of parts of the ore body and important infrastructure at the Obuasi Mine, raising the risk that the site will be permanently damaged.

Dr. Aubynn explained that the reason for which the small scale miners went underground is no longer tenable. “The reason for which people have gone underground is not tenable; and the fact that you don’t have any place to work does not give you the right to do so.

“We are asking that our brothers and sisters come and take advantage of what we have now, so they can live in harmony with the company. So it is an appeal to our friends and brothers who are said to be down there to take advantage of the ground that has been given out, so they can also have something to do.

“We are actually going to support them register and form co-operatives in a way that AngloGold Ashanti can also work in peace and complement the work of these small-scale miners,” he stated.

                                                              

 “I believe that if they come, AngloGold Ashanti can also go beyond its current offer to probably help them in terms of training and proper procedures in mining as they live together in peace,” he remarked.