Mining communities need deeper understanding on resettlement and compensation issues – Ndebugri

Mr Eric Anaane Ndebugri, the Programmes Officer of the Centre for Social Impact Studies (CeSIS), has stressed the need to build capacities of members in mining communities, to enhance their understating on resettlement and compensation negotiations.

He said often, members of mining communities were unaware of their rights regarding resettlement and compensation issues and were frequently exploited by mining companies.

Therefore, it was important to guide the communities on policies and regulations, as well as their rights and obligations concerning resettlement and compensations, to enable them to receive full benefits when such issues arose.

Mr Ndebugri stated this at a capacity building workshop for members of the Binsere community in the Obuasi Municipality.

The workshop organised by CeSIS, a research and advocacy organisation based in Obuasi, aimed at equipping the residents with the skills to understand the policies and legal frameworks pertaining to resettlement and compensation.

It was also to enlighten the participants on their rights as affected individuals, and the requisite actions that mining companies must undertake regarding resettlement and compensations.

The community sought the expertise of CeSIS to build their capacities to enable them derive full benefits from the ongoing negotiations with AngloGold Ashanti on the relocation of some parts of the community, to pave way for mining activities to commence.

Prior to this training, CeSIS had conducted a series of workshops and presentations aimed at sensitising stakeholders, including community members and local authorities, about their rights and responsibilities in relation to mining operations and resettlement.

The necessity for resettlement and compensation in Binsere arose due to the construction of a waste management dam by the mining company in proximity to certain areas of the community.

Mr Richard Ellimah, an analyst specialised in natural resources and government affairs, in a presentation said in accordance with the powers conferred upon the minister responsible for mines under Section 110(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Act 703), a holder of a mineral right is mandated to notify a designated individual within fourteen days following the grant of said mineral right.

Furthermore, any claim for compensation as stipulated in sub-regulation (3) must be duly forwarded to the Minister, the Commission, and the governmental agency tasked with land valuation, he said.

Mr Ellimah explained that pursuant to Regulation (4) of the Minerals and Mining Act, the holder of the mineral right was obliged to remit the determined compensation to the entitled parties no later than three months after the compensation amount has been established.

Mr Ellimah provided the participants with a comprehensive overview of the legal frameworks governing their rights and urged them to engage with this knowledge to secure their own benefits.

Mr Samuel Yeboah, a community elder who participated in the training, expressed his gratitude to CeSIS , saying it would empower community members to comprehend both the positive and negative ramifications of mining activities conducted by mining companies, particularly in relation to compensation and other incentives.

He said the knowledge acquired through the training would also help the affected individuals to effectively negotiate for enhanced compensation.

Source: GNA