Mining firms must protect Ghana’s environment – Minister
Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, Minister of the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, on Wednesday asked mining companies to undertake their operations in an environmentally sustainable manner.
He was speaking after touring the Tarkwa Gold Mine of Gold Fields Ghana Limited.
Dr Oteng-Adjei who was touring mining companies in the Western Region, said it was necessary that mining operations were undertaken in an environmentally friendly manner to ensure sustainable development.
He pointed out that environmental development was as important as economic and social development.
Dr Oteng-Adjei was happy about the environmental performance of the company, and said his Ministry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), would continue to monitor to ensure that the company met its environmental requirements.
Mr. Alfred Baku, Senior Vice President and Head of the West Africa Region of Gold Fields, said the fall in the world market price of gold was a big challenge to the company.
He said the company was evaluating its operations as a result of the current price of gold, adding that it was collaborating with government to address cost of inputs which was a major challenge facing the company.
He said the company was adhering to the environmental requirements of the EPA, on the use of cyanide in its operations.
Mr. Baku said the company has constructed ponds and dams to contain cyanide in its catchment areas.
He said Gold Fields has the responsibility to meet environment, social and safety requirements, by following its environmental plan.
Mr. Daniel Amlalo, Executive Director of the EPA, commended Gold Fields for having taken steps to address environmental issues raised by the agency.
Source: GNA
TELL THE CHINESE GALAMSEY AND NDC CONNECTION. DISTROYING WATER BODIES. FUTURE MOST EXPENSIVE COMMODITY WILL BE WATER, FOOD, HOUSING AND ENERGY IF GHANAIANS LEADERS DON’T KNOW
The military working for the big mining companies in the western region is creating havoc and bullying the small scale miners by seizing their machines and arresting people even thgough the small scale miners have the support of the community and papers in order. these military should be reprimanded and not intimidate legitimate concession owners. Just because you can does not mean you should. There is no respect for the law in Ghana. If a military stands in front of you with a gun what rubbish is that except that he is abusing his power. Dear Ghana Government please make your field tripos to the western region to go see what is happening because why do you open up to small scale miners who pay all the money that the government ask and not forgetting the unofficial tips which is compulsory otherwise the applications are sitting on the desk for years. Why such double standards because if the government want to do good for the local community than go to each district office and watch what is happening? How about UNDERCOVRER PUBLIC to go see what kind of payments are beiung extorted from us for doing the right thing and trying to work according to papers. The galamseys get caught as they have no papers and the legitimate concession owners get their machines confiscated and thrown into jail for applying A-Z the correct way. Leader please note Ghana is watching you and we want the government to respect the legitimate concession holders who are out there to provide jobs for the community and work the right way. One day i will release the payments made to each and every office as a compulsory demand just to get 1 concession. Its pathetic.