Betterland denies illegal mining in Draw River Forest Reserve
Betterland Ghana Limited has rejected allegations of illegal mining in the Draw River Forest Reserve in the Nzema East District of the Western Region, insisting that it was undertaking lawful expanded exploration works under a valid mining licence issued by the Minerals Commission.
The company said its operations were subject to daily supervision by officials of the Forestry Commission and were being carried out in compliance with Ghana’s environmental, forestry and mining laws.
In a statement issued by management of the company, it said reports alleging that it was engaged in illegal mining in the reserve were false, misleading and defamatory.
The company said some of the audiovisual material being used to support the allegations was not from the Draw River Forest Reserve, but originated from other locations, including the Atiwa Forest, and was presented as showing destruction in Gwira Banso.
According to Betterland, the alleged misrepresentation had unfairly portrayed the company as engaging in illegal mining and had the potential to damage its reputation, investor confidence and relations with surrounding communities.
It said it was engaged solely in expanded exploration works and not illegal mining, adding that its activities were being conducted under a valid mining licence issued after it had fulfilled the required statutory conditions.
Betterland explained that exploration and preparatory works were lawful and regulated activities and should not be equated with illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The company also rejected claims that it was operating near river bodies or cocoa farms, insisting that its activities were being undertaken within the confines of Ghana’s environmental, forestry and mining regulations.
It explained that the access route currently being used had been constructed by timber companies long before Betterland commenced its exploration activities.
On regulatory compliance, the company said officials of the Forestry Commission supervised its operations daily to ensure adherence to environmental and forestry requirements.
Betterland maintained that its activities in the reserve were therefore being carried out under the requisite regulatory oversight and in accordance with the conditions of its licence.
It called for accurate and responsible reporting on its operations, stressing that allegations of illegal mining could have serious implications for its reputation and its relationship with stakeholders.
The company reiterated that it was not engaged in illegal mining and maintained that its exploration activities were lawful and subject to strict regulatory supervision.
You can now read the *Ghanaian Times* and *The Spectator* newspapers digitally on [TimesNewsPlus](https://timesnewsplus.com/newspapers).
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
