The Minerals Commission has given its final approval to Jia Xin Industrial Company to continue its mineral exploration activities in Akokoaso in the Akyemansa District of the Eastern Region.
This comes after the Commission resolved growing tensions between the mining company and people of the area following the company’s reported usage of prospecting licenses to mine gold in the community.
The Commission, after receiving a petition from the community halted operations of the company pending an independent investigation into the matter.
However, in a community engagement organized by the Minerals Commission and attended by the Chiefs and people of Akokoaso, the Commission settled all pressing issues and allayed the fears of locals who had earlier speculated the company were engaged in illegal mining activities.
Speaking at a community stakeholders engagement, the Queen Mother of Akokoaso Nana Agyeiwaa Kodie II appreciated the mining company for securing all necessary documents.
“We want to appreciate the Minerals commission for intervening in ensuring that the right thing is done and sanctioning them. We thought they were engaging in galamsey but that is not the case because the president despises illegal mining so this company will not be given documents to engage in illegal mining.
“We are grateful to them because we know they will employ community members to work in the company so I want to tell the company that out of the number of workers who will be employed, the community should be given a 70 percent ratio and the 30 percent for foreigners, so all abled members of the community should get ready to work,” she said.
On his part, the Akim Oda Divisional Police Commander ACP Rev. Dr Adane Ameyaw cautioned the youth of the community to live in harmony with the workers and desist from creating unnecessary tension in the community.
“I want to caution all of you to stay away from trouble because the law will not shield anyone not even children or women if they come in contact with it,” he said.
