Perseus Mining releases land to boost small-scale mining drive
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
Perseus Mining Ghana Limited (PMGL) has officially relinquished a 70-hectare portion of its Ayanfuri Mining Lease to the Government of Ghana for reallocation under the Small-Scale Cooperative Mining Scheme.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, seeks to empower local communities by legalizing and formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities.
It encourages the creation of cooperatives, comprising youth, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to obtain licenses to mine community-based concessions.
The land relinquished by Perseus is located near Ayanfuri in the Upper Denkyira District of the Central Region, home to the company’s Edikan Gold Mine, which has been in operation since 2011.
Perseus Mining Limited’s Managing Director and CEO, Jeff Quartermaine, described the agreement as a testament to the strong public-private partnership between the company and the Government of Ghana.
“Following PMGL’s USD5 million dividend payment to the Government in December 2024, this land release further demonstrates our shared commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in Ghana,” Mr. Quartermaine stated.
As part of the agreement, which was facilitated through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Perseus has also contributed USD1.428 million toward the future rehabilitation of the 70-hectare land area, reinforcing its commitment to responsible mining and environmental stewardship.
“This contribution ensures that even as we support small-scale mining, we uphold the environmental integrity of the affected areas,” the CEO noted.
The Small-Scale Cooperative Mining Scheme is central to the government’s renewed effort to address illegal mining commonly known as ‘galamsey’ by providing regulated avenues for local communities to benefit from Ghana’s mineral wealth without degrading the environment.
Perseus has long maintained a track record of investing in the communities surrounding its Edikan Gold Mine. Since 2011, the company has supported local development through the Edikan Trust Fund, which finances livelihood projects, infrastructure, and education. In 2024, the fund’s annual allocation was increased to USD500,000 to include three additional villages impacted by the Nkosuo gold project.
In addition to community investments, the company supports national development through local employment, procurement, and the payment of taxes, royalties, and dividends. In its 2024 financial year alone, Perseus’s total economic contribution to Ghana exceeded USD286 million.
“Responsible mining is not just about the gold we extract, it’s about the partnerships we build, the lives we improve, and the future we safeguard,” he added.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has welcomed the land release as a major boost to the government’s community mining strategy. Officials believe such collaborative arrangements with large-scale mining companies will help bridge the gap between industrial mining and ASM, foster peace, and drive inclusive growth.
The 70-hectare concession will soon be opened for cooperative licensing, with priority given to local residents and traditional authorities of the Ayanfuri area.
