Ayanfuri: Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited has agreed to relinquish a 70-hectare portion of its Ayanfuri Mining Lease to the Government of Ghana for re-allocation under its Small-Scale Cooperative Mining Scheme initiative. The Ayanfuri Mining Lease is situated near the town of Ayanfuri in the Upper Denkyira District of the Central Region of Ghana and hosts Perseus's Edikan Gold Mine, which has been successfully operating on the lease since 2011.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Government's new Small-Scale Cooperative Mining Scheme initiative aims to empower local communities by involving local chiefs, youth, and other stakeholders in organizing cooperatives and applying for licenses to operate community-based mines. Perseus Mining Limited's Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Jeff Quartermaine, emphasized that the agreement exemplifies the strong partnership between Perseus Mining Ghana Limited and the Government of Ghana.
Mr. Quartermaine highlighted that, following Perseus Mining Ghana Limited's December 2024 dividend payment of US$5 million (GHS73,500,000) to the Government, this new agreement reflects a shared commitment to achieving long-term, sustainable success in the country. As part of the agreement, which was made in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, Perseus has also contributed US$1.428 million to support future rehabilitation of the relinquished area, underscoring their dedication to responsible mining and environmental stewardship.
The CEO further stated that Perseus remains committed to supporting the Government of Ghana's national development priorities, particularly the promotion of responsible mining practices and the fight against illegal mining, which continues to threaten the country's land and water resources. Since commencing gold mining at Edikan in 2011, Perseus has funded the Edikan Trust Fund, which has financed and implemented various infrastructure and livelihood development initiatives in the mine's catchment area.
In the fiscal year 2024, annual funding was increased to US$500,000 to benefit three additional villages located near the recently developed Nkosuo project. Perseus also contributes to Ghana and its host communities through successful local employment and procurement initiatives, discretionary community contributions, and taxes, royalties, and dividends to local governments. In 2024 alone, these contributions totalled more than US$286 million.
