Government Accuses Seven Seas Salt Limited Of Non-Compliance With Mining Laws; Rejects New Applications2 min read
File photo of Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
The Company put in two different applications for two additional restricted mining Cases; one in respect of an area measuring approximately four thousand, two hundred and fifty-six point six eight acres (4,256.68 acres) and the other measuring approximately one thousand, three hundred and eighteen point four two six acres (1,318.426 acres) to mine but the two applications were thrown out.
According to the sector Minister, the Minerals Commission has no contract with Kensington Industries Limited, which is now called Seven Seas Salt Limited to go beyond the existing area.
The Minister who was in Parliament to answer a question filed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey submitted that, by section 5 of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), mineral rights are granted by the Minister responsible for Mines, on behalf of the President of the Republic in whom these minerals are vested, and on the advice of the Minerals Commission.
Mr Abu Jinapor, sector minister noted that Mining leases are, therefore, signed by the Minister, on behalf of the Government, and “by a Restricted Mining Lease, made on 29th December 2011, Seven Seas Salt Limited was granted a fifteen-year lease over an area of the Keta Lagoon measuring approximately Six Thousand and four, point four eight acres (6,004.48 acres) within Adina, Agavedzi and Blekusu section.
In responding to the question on “the status of the contract between Minerals Commission and Kensington Industries Limited of India and the nature of the license granted”, Mr. Jinapor stressed the fact that “the only existence mining transaction between Kensington Industries Limited, now Seven Seas Salt Limited, is the 2011 restricted mining lease signed by the then Minister, Mike Allen Hammah, on behalf of Government”.
“It is a restricted mining lease for the mining of salt, and it is valid till 28th December 2026. The area, subject of the lease, is located at Adina, Agavedzi, and Blekusu, all in the Ketu South District” he said.
The Lease is valid till 28th December 2026, when the fifteen years granted will expire.
A Restricted Mining Lease is a lease for the mining of industrial minerals, such as clay, sand, gravel, limestone, marble, and salt.
