Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited (PMGL) has donated GH¢6,864,000 to the chiefs and people of Ayanfuri in the Upper Denkyira West District in the Central Region to support the community’s development agenda.
The donation, presented at the Osono Panto Palace, was made in appreciation of the community’s cooperation during negotiations for the Fetish and Esuojah North pits cutback project at the Edikan Gold Mine.
It also formed part of PMGL’s commitment to responsible mining and community partnership.
Present at the ceremony were the General Manager of PMGL, Alexander Kofi Oduro, representatives from the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Presenting the cheque, the Board Chairman of PMGL and Paramount Chief of the Assin Owirenkyiman Traditional Area, Ehunabobrim Prah Agyensaim VI, said the gesture was a recognition of the sacrifices, cooperation and trust of the Ayanfuri people which had made progress at the Edikan mine possible.
He said the successful pits cutback project undertaken at the mine was significant for PMGL’s business and the extended life of operations.
“Responsible mining can only succeed when it is anchored in trust with the communities that host us.
We are happy about how the Chiefs and people of Ayanfuri have stood with us all these years, and that is why we saw the need to extend this support,” Nana Agyensaim said.
Social interventions
Nana Agyensaim listed some of PMGL’s interventions since the establishment of the Edikan Mine in Ayanfuri to include the construction of classroom blocks, health facilities, water and electricity projects, and scholarships for students.
He further announced that PMGL was in talks with the Government of Ghana to partner it in reconstructing the Dunkwa-Ayanfuri road, which he said was in a bad state.
Community support
Receiving the cheque on behalf of the community, the Chief of Ayanfuri and Akwamuhene of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Nana Kwadwo Appiah III, thanked PMGL for changing the narrative of mining in the area.
“A lot of mining companies come to work only for their own interest and not for the owners of the land.
But PMGL has built schools, health centres and created jobs for our youth,” he said.
He pledged the community’s continued support and urged PMGL to help fix the Dunkwa-Ayanfuri road.
Commendation
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, commended PMGL for going beyond its regular obligations.
He called on the government to increase the royalty share returned to host communities from eight per cent to at least 30 per cent to ensure timely and impactful development.
PMGL
Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited operates the Edikan Gold Mine at Ayanfuri in the Central Region.
The mine has been one of Ghana’s major large-scale gold operations and has been central to employment, local procurement and community development in Upper Denkyira West and Wassa Amenfi East.
