The Minister, John Peter Amewu, revoked the company’s leases and licenses to prospect in the Nyinahini bauxite concession of the Tano Offin Forest Reserve, describing the company’s operations there as illegal because of invalid mining leases.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HNz8ywxTH05SbMrwbo4pv1PG9wcAIJBz”]Prior to this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), had indicated that Exton Cubic reneged on commitments to submit a liability estimate of environmental degradation, among others.

But Exton Cubic, in an application for a review of the decision at the High Court, has argued that the Minister’s decision was unreasonable, unjust, and an abuse of his powers.

The company, among others, is seeking a declaration that “the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources acted ultra vires [beyond] his statutory powers when he revoked Exton Cubic Group Limited mining leases.”

It also contends that, revoking of its license was “breach of the rules of natural Justice”, and in breach of the company’s “rights to administrative justice and property.”

Exton Cubic is further seeking an order quashing the minister’s decision to revoke the mining leases, and “an order of injunction restricting the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources or his agents from interfering with Exton Cubic’s rights acquired.”

Aside from this, the company also wants to protect its rights to the concession, and is thus seeking an order of injunction preventing the Ministry “from granting the rights acquired by Exton Cubic Group to any other person.”

Since the start of this saga in August 2017, Exton Cubic has threatened to use available legal means to overturn government’s revocation of its license, although Mr. Amewu maintained that, the mining company’s processes in acquiring the lease were questionable.

“The processes leading to the grant of the license were not quite clear and were not transparent, very opaque. So it called for a lot of questions. We believe that if the processes had taken time and the duration for the various permits were within the framework, this issue wouldn’t have come out,” the sector Minister said on the matter.

The matter came to public attention when earth moving equipment and vehicles belonging to Exton Cubic’s sub-contractor, Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners (E&P), were impounded at Nyinahin, the community where the forest reserve is located.

This was on the orders of the Ashanti Regional Minister following suspicions the mining company was operating illegally.

At the time, Mr. Amewu came out to say that his Ministry had granted Exton Cubic Group Limited an entry permit into the Nyinahin bauxite concession.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Exton Cubic finally sues Amewu over withdrawal of permit appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The spokesperson of the Chiefs, Nkwawiehene Nana Kusi Amankwa Maafo II, said all the three chiefs in the bauxite concession area are fully aware of the legal processes that commenced four years ago.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Al2ztzaQAAeSyeC4PvMYA68LMS7T28KN”]They argued further that the Exton Cubic’s activity in the area bode well for the employment prospects of the people in the area and charged President Nana Akufo-Addo to live up to his pledge to boost employment.

“So for us here, we want the mining activities to go on so jobs are created in this area so were are pleading with the government, Nana Akufo-Addo, his ministers, his cabinet, to get behind Exton Cubic and allow them to work,” Amankwa Maafo II said at a press conference in Kumasi on Tuesday,

He noted that foreign companies look to mine in the area but, “Ibrahim Mahama is one of our own so if Exton and E&P are in partnership to do something in this area, there is nothing wrong with it… We know of foreign mining companies that have expressed interest in mining here but to no benefit for people here.”

“The foreign companies come here and work and leave us without any befitting farewell but one of our own is coming to work here and won’t allow them [Exton Cubic] to be sent away.”

Background

Exton Cubic’s troubles began when vehicles belonging to its sub-contractor, Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners (E&P), were impounded in the Nyinahin township on orders from the Ashanti Regional Minister, following suspicions the mining company was operating illegally.

Youth in the area also kicked against the operations of the mining company.

The Minerals Commission subsequently directed Exton Cubic to halt operations at the Nyinahin bauxite concession of the Tano Offin Forest reserve.

The order followed claims by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Exton Cubic’s current operations in the Nyinahin bauxite concession were illegal because it had breached terms of its initial permit.

The company has since said it would sue the state, arguing that it wrongfully interfered with its right to prospect on the Nyinahin Bauxite Concession.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Allow Exton Cubic to operate – Nyinahin chiefs plead appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Though the Exton Cubic applied for a permit to undertake the prospecting of bauxite in the area; it failed to comply with EPA regulations rendering the permits null and void.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gEAJAi2vj0luplj8jExztu7Gl6kgg6nU”]The seizure of mining equipment belonging to Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners (E&P), which was undertaking some preparatory work in the forest for Exton Cubic, culminated in the mining company accusing the Ashanti Regional Minister of unlawfully impounding E&P’s vehicles and detaining its officers.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, had earlier tried to clarify the situation by confirming that his Ministry granted Exton Cubic an entry permit into the Nyinahin bauxite concession.

But the EPA in a statement clarifying Exton Cubic’s standing said, “the bottom line is that Exton Cubic Group limited has not obtained the required EPA permit under its mining lease and therefore, any attempt to enter the area for mining is illegal.”

Background of Exton Cubic’s operations

According to the EPA, on March 29, 2016, Exton Cubic applied for three separate Environmental Permits from the EPA to undertake the prospecting of bauxite on its Mprasaso, Kiriyaso, and Kyekyewere concessions in the Ashanti region covering a total of 346.08 km sq.

The EPA granted the Environmental Permits to Exton Cubic June 7, 2016, and the company, among other conditions was to notify the EPA as soon as prospecting activities commenced and also to “submit within three months from the date of issuance of the Environmental Permit a liability estimate of environmental degradation to enable the posting of the Reclamation Bond in line with Regulation 23 of the Environmental Assessment Regulation 1999 (LI 1652).”

But Exton Cubic “unfortunately reneged on all these conditions,” the EPA revealed. Thus, the prospecting permits are therefore “no longer valid,” the EPA added.

Subsequently, the mining company acquired a Mining Lease on December 26, 2016 from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, which requires a new EPA permit but “has not been granted by the EPA.”

The EPA noted that documents pertaining to a “No objection” letter from Cabinet, an environmental assessment, among others, are required to support Exton Cubic’s application for an EPA permit under its Mining lease.

“Failure of the company to comply with the above-stated conditions as at the time of the issuance of this press release has rendered all environmental permits null and void, Again, the EPA wishes to state that any mining activity to be conducted by the Exton Cubic Group Limited within the concession areas, of which Environmental Permit is being sought is not consistent with the Environmental Assessment Procedures of the EPA, LI1652 and is therefore illegal.”

Find below the fill EPA statement

The attention of the EPA has been drawn to a situation that has arisen regarding an attempt by Exton Cubic Group Limited to enter the Nyinahin bauxite deposit area for the purpose of undertaking mining activities. As a result of the public interest in the matter, the EPA would like to clarify the position of Exton Cubic Group Limited’s Environmental Permit status under its Mining Lease (that is a necessary condition for any mining activity). The bottom line is that Exton Cubic Group Limited has not obtained the required EPA permit under its mining lease and therefore any attempt to enter the area for mining activity is illegal.

On 29th March 2016, Exton Cubic Group Limited applied for three separate Environmental Permits from the EPA to undertake prospecting of bauxite on its Mprasaso, Kiriyaso, and Kyekyewere concessions in the Ashanti region covering a total of 346.08 km sq. The EPA granted the Environmental Permits to Exton Cubic Group Limited on 7th June 2016. The company among other conditions was to notify the EPA as soon as prospecting activities commenced and also to submit within three months from the date of issuance of the Environmental Permit a liability estimate of environmental degradation to enable the posting of the Reclamation Bond in line with Regulation 23 of the Environmental Assessment Regulation 1999 (LI 1652). Exton Cubic Group Limited unfortunately reneged on all these conditions. The prospecting permits are therefore no longer valid. Exton Cubic Group Limited subsequently acquired a Mining Lease on 29th December 2016 from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, This mining lease requires a new EPA permit which has not been granted by the EPA. The EPA’s discussions with the company and its consultants indicated that the following documents are required to support their application for in EPA permit under its Mining lease:

• Submission to EPA of a “No objection” letter from Cabinet;
• Completion and submission of statutory environmental assessment form (EA2); and
• Notification from the EPA to the company to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment which would have led to a broader public consultation and “public hearings’ within the relevant catchment communities in line with Regulation 17 of the Environmental Assessment regulations, 1999 (LI 1652).

Failure of the company to comply with the above stated conditions as at the time of the issuance of this press release has rendered all environmental permits null and void, Again, the EPA wishes to state that any mining activity to be conducted by the Exton Cubic Group Limited within the concession areas, of which Environmental Permit is being sought is not consistent with the Environmental Assessment Procedures of the EPA, LI1652 and is therefore illegal.

SIGNED

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nyinahin: Exton Cubic’s operations illegal – EPA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

These vehicles were confiscated from a Nyinahin bauxite concession being explored by Exton Cubic Group Limited and some of the company’s officers were also detained.

[contextly_sidebar id=”V8uyJLofYUFdyHGZRJkvp7YXt2SaFqL5″]Exton Cubic Group accused Mr. Osei Mensah and the District Chief Executive of the Atwima Mponua District of unlawfully impounding of E&P’s vehicles and detaining its officers.

Speaking to Citi News, the Ashanti Regional Minister, confirmed that he had indeed given the directive after the DCE informed him of activity on the concession.

“They asked whether I knew anything about it and I told them I had no knowledge about it and that they should impound the vehicles until we get authorization from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and then I called the police to impound the vehicles.”

“So we are waiting for written instructions from the minister, which should be accompanied by the various permits which should have been the normal route and then we put it on our file then we can ask the people to go,” the Minister said.

According to him, he was told by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, that only three mining companies were operating in the Ashanti Region; AngloGold Ashanti in Obuasi, Asanko Gold and Oware Mines limited at Konongo “so if there are any amendments, it should be communicated to us.”

Exton considering legal options

Exton Cubic Group Limited is considering taking legal actions against the police and some authorities in the Ashanti Region for what it called the unlawful seizure of vehicles and mining equipment.

According to the company, it has acquired all the necessary documentation and permits to operate at Nyinahini.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ibrahim Mahama’s trucks to remain seized until… – Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Minister’s clarification follows some confusion that led to the seizure of mining equipment belonging to Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners (E&P), which was to do some preparatory work in the forest for Exton Cubic.

[contextly_sidebar id=”UN7h5ZoNSYr5Kex5aytpGNQ2tm38Cke5″]Reports surfaced that Exton Cubic and E&P were operating illegally in the forest but the mining company refuted the claims noting that it had legally acquired the Nyinahini Bauxite concession as far back as August 14, 2013.

Exton Cubic Group accused the Ashanti Regional Minister of unlawfully ordering the impounding of E&P’s vehicles and detaining its officers.

The company’s assertion that it was operating legally was corroborated by Mr. Amewu who confirmed that it had been given the go ahead in 2013.

“This project commenced somewhere in 2013. They began the due diligence processes through which they were granted the prospective lease around 2015. They have the entry permit from the Forestry Commission and the necessary EPA [process] was done during the exploration period.”

He noted that Exton Cubic was still within the exploration framework which is to end in December 2017, “but the mining lease has been granted in December.”

“What that mining lease does is for him to go back and start the whole processes again; going through the application for forest entry permit, the EPA processes and a lot of things that will need to be done.”

“As it stands now, he has the mining lease, he has the entry permit to enter the forest but the EPA and other things that are very important have not yet been granted and he has also not been granted an operating permit which will finally mandate him to do the production.”

Minister awaiting official documents

Speaking to Citi News earlier, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah said he was waiting on official documentation from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources before releasing vehicles and equipment belonging to E&P.

According to him, he was told by Mr. Amewu, that only three mining companies were operating in the Ashanti Region; AngloGold Ashanti in Obuasi, Asanko Gold and Oware Mines limited at Konongo. “so if there are any amendments, it should be communicated to us.”

Thus any developments must be communicated to the region, he said.

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By: Kojo Agyemang/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Exton Cubic, Ibrahim Mahama’s operations legal – Amewu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Months of massive promotion and bragging by both boxers saw thousands of Ghanaians throng the Accra Sports stadium to witness the “Judgment Night” bout.

Briamah Kamako, aka Bukom Banku emerged the eventual winner after a thrilling 12-rounds.

Speaking on the Citi FM’s The Big Issue, Mr Casely-Hayford lamented over the manner in which sports was being managed in the country.

He admonished stakeholders to take a cue from the just ended bout and rely on existing regional rivalries to draw fans to games.

“What I saw at the Bukom Banku and Ayittey Powers bout showed me that where you can generate intense rivalry and you can hype a situation up, you will get an audience of such size that you now have an opportunity to create a market that will grow and become important,” he remarked.

He indicated he is particularly passionate about the matter because, Ghana’s sports arena is a fertile ground through which revenue can be generated but “we are not doing well because we have football matches and the only one that is critical to anybody is Hearts versus Kotoko and the rest of them isn’t significant.”

The financial analyst also expressed concern about the remuneration of players in the local league and advised stakeholders to turn the fortunes of Ghanaian sportsmen around.

He asked, “can you imagine, our footballers are being paid GHC 35 a month? Bukom Banku and Ayittey Powers have shown we can pack a football stadium with everyone paying.”

Mr Casely-Hayford observed that despite the economic hardships being experienced by majority of Ghanaians, people were prepared to pay between GHC 50 to GHC 100 for the Banku and Powers game, adding that, Ghana has an economy that revolves around the private sector “and this is something that promoters of boxing and football must start looking at.”

By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Let’s draw marketing lessons from Banku-Powers bout – Casely-Hayford appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.