The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday, ( 27 June), held a public hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Ewoyaa Lithium Mining project at Krofu in the Central Region.
The forum was organised in accordance with Regulations 17 (la) and (lc) of the Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LI 1652) and Ghana’s Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures.
This is the second time the Agency and Atlantic Lithium are meeting residents within their mining catchment areas, the first meeting was held on 13 February, 2024, at Ewoyaa to brief them on the project and hear them out on their position, concerns and grievances.
It was heavily attended by traditional rulers and Paramount Chiefs and people from the 12 communities and three paramount chiefs from the Mfantseman Municipality and Abura-Asebu Kwamankese District.
Mining lease requirements achieved
Speaking at the forum, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Lithium, Keith Muller announced that the company has met all the mining lease requirements.
“The Ewoyaa Lithium Project is on track to become Ghana’s first lithium mine and a significant global producer of hard rock lithium, a vital material in the fight against climate change. During the construction phase, we will create over 800 new jobs for Ghanaians, contribute to local industries and infrastructural development and drive community development initiatives focused on sustainable socio-economic growth.
“As we await parliamentary ratification of the mining lease, EPA Permit, Mine Operating Permit and other project permits, I am happy to share that we have met all the mining lease requirements including.”
“Delivered studies report on production of feldspar and its support for the local ceramic and associated industries in Ghana; Successfully listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange to allow Ghanaians, fund managers and investors to share in the ownership of the company; Progressing with Nananom on the establishment of the Community Development fund with 1% revenue, Muller said.
Compensation
Ing. Ransford Sakyi, the deputy executive director of operations at EPA called on Atlantic Lithium to properly address concerns of the residents with respect to their compensation.
“The issue of compensation has to be properly dealt with, Atlantic Lithium, please conduct that engagement .”
“There are procedures for compensation, so notify us of any infractions and we will address them,” Sakyi said.
“In the unlikely event that there are some shortcomings, we will also intervene so that overall, this project will come off successfully and the benefit will be accrued to the Central Region, Mother Ghana and to the people affected by this project of influence,” he said.
He further clarified that the lands will go back to Nananom after decommissioning of the mine.
Concerns
Residents from the various catchment area of the Ewoyaa Lithium project took their turn to ask questions concerning lithium mining and its impact on their communities.
The concerns centered on employment of residents for the project, training of indigenes to take advantage of opportunities, health concerns, land and crop compensation.
Response
Taking his turn to address the concerns raised by the residents at the public hearing, the general manager of operations at Atlantic Lithium, Ahmed-Salim Adam said issues concerning the environment, air quality and health concerns have all been addressed in the Environmetal Impact Assessment.
On job creation Adam announced that talks are underway with some institutions to train the youth in the catchment areas.
According to him, a committee has so far been established to address the concerns of residents on land and crop compensation.
On the building of a health facility, he said the company will engage traditional authorities and government on the building of a health facility to cater for the needs of the area.
Safeguard interest
Chiefs from all the catchment areas of the Ewoyaa Lithium project who attended the public hearing also took their turn to address the gathering.
They advised the youth to exercise patience and take advantage of opportunities that the mining project will generate in the catchment areas.
They assured the youth that they will at all times safeguard their interest and ensure the right thing is done during the project.
On his part , the Paramount chief of Mankessim Omanhene Osagyefo Amanfo Edu IV advised Atlantic Lithium to form a committee to monitor all activities stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment.
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Krofu
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