Mining companies urged to protect the environment

Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, on Saturday drew the attention of mining companies to the reclamation bond, which requires them to deposit specified amount of money towards reclamation of mined areas.

He said the bond would be used to reclaim mined areas should mining companies go bankrupt or fold up.

Dr Oteng- Adjei made this known in a media interaction after inspecting a small scale mining (galamsey) site at Bokrobo near Nkroful in the Western Region, which has been reclaimed during a field tour to the Adamus Resources Limited. The Minister was on a field tour of mining companies in the Region.

Dr Oteng-Adjei said small-scale mining companies would also be required to deposit specified amount of money for the reclamation lands degraded through their operations.

He said the Environmental Protection Agency would be directed to ensure enforcement. Dr Oteng-Adjei said: “The environment must be protected for the sustainable development of the country.”

At a meeting with the management and staff of the company, Mr Mark Addo, the officer in-charge of Adamus Resources Limited concessions, said illegal miners invaded the company’s concession at Bokrobo until national security flushed them out.

He said the company lost substantial amount of money as a result of the galamsey activities. Mr Addo said the company is constructing houses and other social amenities at Teleko- Bokazo to re-settle more than 1,000 people from 350 households who would be affected by its mining operations.

He said the re-settlement is in line with the mining laws. Mr Addo said the company has set aside .6 million for the reclamation of lands used for mining.