Manso-Nkran(Ash), July 11, GNA - Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Forestry, Lands and Mines, on Monday asked district assemblies in mining areas to collaborate with prospective mining companies to plan the siting of their infrastructure, especially residential facilities to conform with the assembly's development plans.

He said this would enable the assemblies make judicious use of the facilities for the benefit the people after the closure of the mine.

Professor Fobih, made the call at the handing over of landed properties belonging to the Obotan Gold Project to the Government by the management of Resolute Amansie

Lmited (RAL) at Manso-Nkran in the Amansie West District. He stressed the need for district assemblies in mining

areas to be ever prepared to take over the properties after

operations of the mines. Professor Fobih, called for proper documentation of all

rightful landowners of mining concessions at the beginning of

the mine's operations to pay compensation to the rightful

owners and avoid land litigation after its operations. He said there was the need to involve landowners in

deciding the post mine use of the land, adding that, it was

necessary to include the views of landowners at the beginning

of the mining operations. Professor Fobih commended the management of RAL for

discharging its obligations to the Government and fulfilling

some of its social responsibilities to the communities within its

operational area. Mr Nich Adi-Darko, a Director of the company, said the

company had maintained a philosophy to community

development and relations since it begun its operations in

1997. He said the company developed sustainable livelihood

development projects in fish farming, citronella farming, and

formation of Farmers Resources Centre and education

programmes as well as the establishment of 25 cooperatives,

which were currently operating within the area. Mr Adi-Darko said the company, completed reclamation to

the stakeholder agreed completion criteria that were proven to

meet ecological sustainability. Mr Paul Sowley, RAL Environmental Coordinator for Africa,

said the mine had achieved successes by empowering local

government and communities at the national, regional and

local levels through a well-designed stakeholder involvement

programme. He said in consultation with the stakeholders, the company

had undertaken reclamation that demonstrated ecological

sustainability.