Ghana to host International Cyanide Management Code workshop
The International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI) would be organising a Workshop on Implementing and Auditing the International Cyanide Management Code in Accra on Wednesday, August 31.
The day’s workshop, sponsored jointly by ICMI and Ghana Chamber of Mines, is intended to assist gold mining companies, cyanide producers and transporters, and other stakeholders to understand the Code’s expectations for the responsible management of cyanide.
In addition, it would instruct auditors verifying Code compliance on how to evaluate gold mines, cyanide producers and cyanide transporters and make their findings.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Ghana Chamber of Mines and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday.
The statement said “Focus of the workshop will be on the practical issues associated with implementing and auditing the Code.”
It explained that the intent of each of the Code’s Principles and Standards of Practice would be discussed, along with the Code’s expectations for performance and the measures typically necessary to achieve that performance.
The statement said interpretive guidance would be provided on how auditors were to use their professional judgment in determining whether an operation was in compliance with the Code.
It added that the workshop would provide participants with the critical knowledge and understanding of the Code necessary to identify appropriate and acceptable measures to improve cyanide management and meet the Code’s performance-based goals.
The statement said “The Workshop is intended for stakeholders in the gold mining industry interested in the implementation and verification of the International Cyanide Management Code.”
It said gold miners, environmental and safety managers, cyanide producers and transporters, government regulatory personnel, and NGOs with interest in gold mining should all find the workshop beneficial in enhancing their understanding of this voluntary gold industry code of practice.
“The workshop will be of particular importance to gold mining company personnel whose companies have signed the Code or are considering becoming Code signatories, and make potential Code auditors abreast with issues,” the statement said.
“Companies implementing the Code will learn about the on-the ground control measures and the management plans and procedures necessary to meet the Code’s Principles and Standards of Practice,” it added.
The statement said auditors would gain insight into applying Audit Protocol questions to situations in the field, and preparation of acceptable audit reports.
It said although ICMI did not require that Code auditors attended the workshop, the information presented and the opportunity for questions and answers would be invaluable for potential Code auditors.
Source: GNA