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Withdrawal of Exton Cubic's exploration permit political – Kwesi Pratt

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, had explained that the directive was issued because the company’s three mining leases were invalid

He said the revocation of its exploration license is ill-intended and political adding that the decision by government will incur judgment debts.

According to him, "I can see it is ill-intended and it may be as a reason of Ibrahim Mahama linkage to his brother whom he secured that contract under his presidency."

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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, had explained that the directive was issued because the company’s three mining leases were invalid.

Mr. Amewu explained that the company’s failure to provide key documents covering its acceptance of the lease, notice of pendency, environmental impact assessment and other statutory requirements rendered the leases invalid.

In a letter to Exton Cubic, Mr. Amewu said "the absence of publications of the Gazette of notice of the pendency of the company’s applications and service of the notice on the various entities specified in the law is contrary to both section 13(2) of Act 703 and Regulation 177 of L.I. 2176 [Minerals and Mining Regulations.]."

Kwesi Pratt speaking on the revocation of the Exton Cubic's license said government maybe right to withdraw licenses signed under the erstwhile administration but that should be done in a way it will not bring judgment debts.

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"The government can review every contract signed by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) but that should be done in a way it will not bring judgment debts.

"Per my information, Exton Cubic Group has license to mine at the Tano-Offin forest reserve. ….I don’t know all of a sudden; the minister is saying their license has to be revoked," Kwesi Pratt said on Accra-based Peace FM.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has urged government to allocate a portion of the bauxite concession to the embattled company to mine.

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