AGC TO PAY C7.8b AS COMPENSATION

The Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited is to pay a total of c7.8 billion this year as compensation to people whose properties the company destroyed in the course of their mining operations. Last year, the company paid an amount of c4.5 billion as compensation to affected people during its mining activities in and around Obuasi .

This came to light during a two-hour meeting between the Member of Parliament for Obuasi, Mr. Anthony Boadi-Mensah and the management of AGC, headed by the Managing Director for Obuasi Operations, Mr. Peter Kinver. The MP discussed a wide range of issues including the re-demarcation of areas affected by AGC surface mining activities and the solution to pollution, especially in the Sanso area, among others.

According to Mr. Boadi-Mensah who later briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, AGC has agreed to construct a c60 million school block at Sanso and also undertake the rehabilitation of roads in the town. He said the company consented to provide teak trees for communities which have applied for them to enable them to undertake self-help electrification project.

The communities include Apitiso, Diawuoso,Wamase, Nhyiaeso and Nyamesomyede. Besides, he said the company is making efforts to repair houses damaged due to blasting in prospecting for gold. The MP indicated that AGC has also agreed to build a foot bridge on River Jimi to facilitate farmers' movement to their farms at Ayaase, Jimiso, Kakuaba and Ampoanyase.

He said the company has also agreed to erect walls to damaged areas at Dampayaw Hill, the akrofuom-Mprikyire road and Kokotenten-Wamase road.

The MP appealed to the company to ensure environmental cleanliness in their mining activities so as to enjoy the cooperation from the communities where they operate.