Minerals Commission Rejects Application To Mine in Kakum National Park
The Minerals Commission has rejected a mining application by High Street Limited, a mining company, to mine in the Kakum National Park, a tourist site in Ghana.
It was reported that the Commission had received an application from the said company, which application was at the validation stage.
In a statement on Monday, the Commission said, its attention had been “drawn to publications on social media that some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country have vehemently kicked against the attempt by a mining firm to mine in the Kakum National Park in the Central Region.
“According to the CSOs, the move follows an application by the High Street Limited to the Minerals Commission for a license to mine in the Kakum National Park.”
It thus noted that the application had been rejected while same has been deleted from the Commission’s online mining cadaster.
“The Commission wishes to inform the CSOs and the public that the application by High Street Limited was rejected and therefore cannot be processed or considered whatsoever.”
It emphasized and assured the public that no mineral right whether for prospecting or mining shall be considered or granted in the Kakum National Park.
Prospecting and mining in forest reserves, lands and rivers have left the country’s green, water bodies and lands depleted, polluted and degraded respectively.
In the bid to restore the lost cover, the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II sought the help of the British Monarch, King Charles III in reclaiming such lands.
Giving an update during the last Awukudae festival on November 8, he said some experts have already surveyed Amansie which has been termed an illegal mining hotspot with its accompanying effects.
His Majesty further disclosed he has directed them to survey Obuasi a well for the reclamation process to begin.
He made these remarks when Illegal Mining Reporter of the Year and Journalist of the Year, Erastus Asare Donkor presented his plaques to him at the palace.
