Ghana, Burkina Faso regulatory agencies to cooperate in mining sector

Ghana and Burkina Faso on Friday called for closer cooperation between regulatory agencies and mining companies in the two countries.

This would create opportunities for mining communities, as well as enabling government agencies to increase their capacity to deal efficiently with multinational mining companies operating either in Ghana or Burkina Faso.

In a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra by Mr John Owusu, Media Officer of AngloGold Ashanti said the two countries raised the issue during a meeting between officials of AngloGold and a 22-member Burkinabe delegation.

The 22-member delegation was led by Mr Tiendreogo Mohammedou, Director of the Burkina Faso Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, as well as officials from the mining, environmental and sustainable development sectors.

The statement said Mr Mark Morecombe, Senior Vice President, Obuasi Operations, AngloGold Ashanti, outlined elements of a transformation project underway at the Obuasi mine, which aims at restoring operational credibility, re-architect the mine and build sustainable communities.

“In the long run, working closely with our stakeholders, the transformation will benefit AngloGold Ashanti, its employees, business and social partners,” the statement said.

Mr Mohammedou commended AngloGold Ashanti for building partnerships with key stakeholders including the chiefs, central government, municipal and district assemblies, in the provision of education, health and agriculture projects, which he described as exemplary.

“This creates social and economic opportunities in the communities and beyond, while contributing significantly to the national economy,” he added.

The statement also quoted Mr Emmanuel Teye, Coordinating Director for the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, for describing AngloGold Ashanti mine as the economic engine of the municipality.

“Through close partnership and regular engagement between the company, the assembly and communities, we implement sustainable community projects for the benefit of all stakeholders,” he said.

The statement also noted that the visit had served as a lesson sharing session for both officials especially the Burkina delegation who was keen to learn from AngloGold Ashanti’s approach to public private partnerships.

Other members of the delegation included: Mr Hamidou Savadogo, Justice and Freedom, Attorney’s Office; Mr Nacisse Nikiema, Director of Inspections and Environmental Audits, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development; Mr Outtara Youssouf, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Mr Michael Sandow Ali, Deputy Director, Environmental Protection Agency.

Among the areas toured were the surface operations, the mine’s Malaria Control Centre, Sanso Portal and the newly constructed Dokyiwaa village, where the company built 116 modern houses to resettle residents of the old Dokyiwaa community, near Obuasi.

Source: GNA