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EPA "no permit" statement shocking - Exton Group
The spokesperson for the company Samuel Gyamfi, said the statement issued by the EPA was "inaccurate", flawed and full of hearsays.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated that the Exton Cubic Group Limited, does not have the environmental permit to mine.
A statement from the EPA on Wednesday, 23 August said: “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).
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“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.”
But Samuel Gyamfi told Accra-based Joy FM that the EPA statement is "sad and unfortunate."
"It flies in the face of rules which says a man cannot be judged unheard… Before you take a decision against anybody you need to at least give that person a hearing. Listen to the side of the company.
“We have not been given this opportunity under the circumstance. So we are shocked that the EPA will come to the media with this statement before they meet or write to us.”
He wondered how the EPA concluded that the company was mining without a permit, considering the Agency has not met the Exton Group or visited the Nyinahini site.
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“That tells you this decision has been taken based on hearsays. The whole premise of their press release is totally flawed.”
He explained that the company is currently engaging in prospecting activities and not mining and for the EPA to issue a statement indicting it for mining is unacceptable.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has meanwhile said that his decision not to allow Exton Cubic Group Limited to continue mining bauxite at the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve in the Atwima Mponua District, is in the interest of the country.
He had before this seized equipment and logistics hired by the company for its operations and has vowed not to release them until the company provides documents to show they have been licensed to mine in the region.
READ ALSO: E&P denies involvement in AMERI deal
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The equipment belongs to Engineers and Planners Co. Ltd, a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Dramani Mahama.
Some believe that the Minister has taken that stance to witch-hunt the brother of the former president, a claim the minister has denied.
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