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Exton Cubic Group has no permit to mine - EPA

The Ashanti Regional Minister has seized equipment 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.

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).

“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.”

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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.

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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