Ekoso residents snub EPA; Block mining company from prospecting

Some residents of Ekoso in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region are agitating against intended prospecting activities to be carried out by a large scale Mining firm-Habilass Resources Mining Company despite intervention by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the District Security Council.

A consultative durbar to resolve the impasse ended abruptly after inciteful comments by some leaders in the community.

The Assembly Member for the Area also the Gyaasehene of the Community, Emmanuel Laryea argued that their Cocoa Farms, an income generation sources for their families would be destroyed should they allow the company to mine in the concession secured in the area.

Recently a farming community in the area, Awosoase staged a demonstration against the company claiming it is Chinese owned, planning to undertake galamsey activities in the area.

However checks by Kasapa News at the EPA and Minerals Commission indicate Habilass Resources Company Limited established in 2014 is a Ghanaian owned large Scale mining company.

The Company so far has the largest concession in the Eastern Region with 89.45 kilometers square land size. Lease Permit granted the company by the Minerals commission expires on December 2030.

The DCE for Atewa East, Hon Atta Panin Nkansah appealed to the residents to allow the company undertake the prospecting.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Habillass Resources Company ,Alhassan Salifu, has said the company has all the legitimate documentation to undertake prospecting activities in its concession .