Ghana's Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged mining companies operating in the country to strictly adhere to environmental laws and regulations. She emphasized that the exploitation of Ghana's mineral resources should not come at the expense of the environment and the livelihoods of communities hosting mining operations. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings made these remarks during a working visit to Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, a mining company operating in the Abirem area of the Eastern Region.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings expressed optimism that the expanded mandate of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would strengthen regulatory oversight and compel mining companies to adhere to the required environmental standards. She was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, and other officials from the ministry and the agency. The minister commended Zijin Golden Ridge Limited for its environmental sustainability initiatives, particularly its efforts at land reclamation, reforestation, and forest preservation.
During the visit, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings and her team inspected the mine's operations, including its FTS facility, and a forest restoration project that has been nurtured over a decade. The project illustrated the time and commitment required to restore forest ecosystems, stressing that environmental rehabilitation must remain an integral part of mining operations. The minister noted that trees and forest ecosystems could not be restored overnight, making sustained investment in reclamation and reforestation essential to reducing the environmental consequences of human activities.
The minister also welcomed Zijin Golden Ridge Limited's plans to establish a recycling facility for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, describing responsible waste management as an increasingly important consideration as electric mobility expands. The proposed facility, if implemented, would add another dimension to Ghana's emerging environmental management needs, particularly in handling waste associated with new technologies.
The Environment Manager of Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, Mr. Kwame Obeng Dapaah, disclosed that the company was expected to re-vegetate 303 hectares of forest reserve under a 10-year restoration project, of which more than 40 hectares had so far been restored. He identified illegal small-scale mining as a major environmental concern and called on the government to intensify efforts to combat the practice.
As part of Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings' Eastern Region tour, the delegation also visited an illegal small-scale mining site at Osino. The team reportedly encountered an abandoned site after the miners fled upon noticing the arrival of the government officials in their convoy. Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings expressed concern about the destruction of land associated with illegal mining activities and pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to address the problem.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized that mining companies had a responsibility to minimize their ecological footprint and ensure that their operations did not leave host communities with lasting environmental damage. The minister's visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between the government, regulatory agencies, and mining companies to promote sustainable environmental practices in the mining sector.
Key points
- Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings urges mining companies to comply with environmental laws and regulations to protect host communities.
- The minister commends Zijin Golden Ridge Limited for its environmental sustainability initiatives, including land reclamation and reforestation efforts.
- The government plans to intensify efforts to combat illegal small-scale mining, a major environmental concern in Ghana.
