A youth foundation commends EPA

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - The Voices of Tomorrow's Leaders Foundation, has commended the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its directive to the Golden Star Resources Bogoso Prestea Limited to ensure the backfilling of the Plan North Pit.

The directive was in line with the Environmental Impact Statement of the Plant North Project (PNP). The youth organisation dedicated to environmental protection, human rights and responsible mining, has been involved in the struggle to hold the management responsible for the alleged problems it has created for the people in Prestea, Himan, Dumase and other communities within the catchment areas of its operations.

A statement issued by Mr Joe Emmanuel Nkrumah, Executive Director, expressed concern about the destruction of sources of livelihood for the people especially the youth, unemployment, pollution, destruction of rivers, and a host of problems resulting from the company's operations. "It is for this reason that the people of Prestea had the foresight to resist the establishment of the Plant North Pit by the company," it said. The statement said the directive from EPA to the management said "The Plant North Project was permitted in 2002. However, your company has not completely fulfilled its legal obligations towards the backfilling after mining the potential reserve in the pit in November, 2007". "The Agency therefore takes a very serious view of these violations. We therefore wish to state in no uncertain terms that until the Plant North Pit is completely backfilled, rehabilitated, and approved, the Agency will not process any application from your company."

The statement said the PNP had also affected Twigyaa and Bogoso and therefore the EPA should ensure that the company backfills all abandoned pits.

It appealed to government for a review of the mining law to prevent mining close to settlements and issuance of environmental permit for mining when the EPA notice the operations would lead to problems. The statement called on the EPA to monitor operations of the company to ensure its compliance to the directive. 29 Oct. 09