Mining Companies Must Uphold Safety Standards

Mining companies has been asked to make sure their operations conform to globally-accepted environmental safety standards.

They should additionally put premium on social responsibility to remove conflict between them and the people in communities, where they have been doing business.

Mr. Radford Sakyi, an official of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), made the call at a public hearing on the proposed Esaase Gold Project – a mining operation by Keegan Resources Ghana Limited (KRGL).

The forum brought together over 3,000 people from 24 communities in the Amansie West District, including Tetrem, Mpatuam, Aboabo-Tetekaso, Essuowin, Esaase, Akataniase, Bontese, Manso-Nkwanta, Suntreso and Manso-Abore.

It was organized by the EPA and the goal was to discuss ways of making the project a “win-win” for all stakeholders.

Keegan was granted the mining license to extract gold ore in the area in year 2011.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Alex Kwame Bonsu, asked the company to give preference to hiring the local people for jobs they qualified to do.   

Mr. Kofi Boateng, Secretary to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, reminded the company to abide by every agreement it had signed.

He also recommended to it to set up a fund to support the education of children in the mining area.