The Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science, and Technology has lauded the environmental stewardship and sustainability performance of Akyem Mine, describing the company as a shining example of responsible mining in Ghana’s extractive sector.
The commendation followed an official oversight visit by the Committee to the mining site at New Abirem, undertaken as part of Parliament’s constitutional mandate to assess environmental compliance and evaluate sustainability practices within the country’s mining industry.
Members of the Committee expressed satisfaction with what they described as Akyem Mine’s strong commitment to environmental protection, land reclamation, biodiversity conservation, clean energy adoption, and local economic empowerment.
Chairman of the Committee, Yaw Frimpong Addo, said the delegation was highly impressed by the company’s visible adherence to environmental protocols and best operational practices.
According to him, the mine’s physical environment alone reflects a deliberate corporate culture of ecological responsibility.
“It is obvious, just by looking at the environment, that this is a company that is environmentally sensitive. From the detailed briefings we received and our inspection tour of the mining and waste dumping sites, it is evident that the company has almost fully complied with the protocols of environmental readiness for business. So far, the Committee is impressed with what they have established here,”Frimpong Addo stated.
He further praised the company’s land reclamation programme, revealing that Akyem Mine had exceeded its initial forest reclamation target of 303 hectares, a feat he described as significant in restoring degraded landscapes and preserving ecological balance.
The Committee was particularly impressed by the company’s decision to expand its environmental restoration and biodiversity initiatives beyond its operational lease boundaries into the wider Atewa ecological landscape, an intervention members described as innovative, forward-looking, and nationally significant.
A major highlight of the company’s sustainability agenda is the launch of Ghana’s first large-scale mining biodiversity offset program, the Zijin Atewa Biodiversity Offset Project, a decade-long conservation initiative being implemented in collaboration with the Forestry Commission of Ghana. The project seeks to protect critical biodiversity habitats while creating long-term ecological value that offsets mining-related environmental impacts.
Ranking Member of the Committee, Prof. Hamza Adam, also commended the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint through strategic investments in renewable energy and clean transportation systems.
He noted that the installation of solar power infrastructure and the introduction of electric vehicles into the company’s operations demonstrate a clear commitment to climate-conscious mining practices.
“One thing that impresses us greatly is the company’s commitment towards making the environment greener. We have observed the installation of solar panels and the procurement of electric vehicles, which we believe is a step in the right direction toward sustainable mining operations,” Prof. Adam remarked.
Beyond environmental performance, the Committee praised Akyem Mine’s strong local content policy, particularly its emphasis on employing Ghanaians and building indigenous technical capacity within the mining sector.
Prof. Adam indicated that the overwhelming presence of Ghanaian workers across the company’s operational structure reflects a commendable effort to ensure that the benefits of mining directly impact local communities and the national economy.
“In terms of local content, we are impressed because we observed that the majority of the workforce is Ghanaian. This is encouraging and speaks to the company’s commitment to national development,” he added.
The Committee urged management of Akyem Mine to sustain and deepen its environmental and social responsibility initiatives, stressing that maintaining high standards throughout the lifespan of mining operations was crucial to balancing economic development with ecological preservation.
Management of Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, operators of Akyem Mine, reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to responsible mining, emphasizing that environmental stewardship, local value creation, and operational excellence remain at the core of the company’s long-term strategic vision in Ghana.
Since commencing operations in April 2025, Zijin Golden Ridge Limited has made a substantial economic impact, investing over GHS 7 billion into Ghana’s economy within its first year of operations, a contribution seen by industry observers as a major boost to employment creation, infrastructure development, and national revenue generation.
With its growing reputation for responsible resource extraction, environmental restoration, and sustainable investment, Akyem Mine is increasingly being positioned as a benchmark for modern mining practices in Ghana and across the West African sub-region.
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