The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on mining companies operating in Ghana to strictly comply with environmental laws and regulations, warning that host communities must not be left to bear the consequences of mining-related pollution, deforestation and land degradation.
She said the exploitation of the country’s mineral resources should not come at the expense of the environment and the livelihoods of communities hosting mining operations.
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.
“I hope that with the expanded mandate of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we will be seeing that more mines will fall in line and do what has to be done in the interest of the people of Ghana,” she said.
The minister was speaking during a working visit to Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, a mining company operating in the Abirem area of the Eastern Region, on Tuesday.
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.
Reclamation & Reforestation
During the visit, the minister commended Zijin Golden Ridge Limited for its environmental sustainability initiatives, particularly its efforts at land reclamation, reforestation and forest preservation.
She said the company’s reclamation activities demonstrated the importance of translating environmental commitments into practical interventions capable of restoring degraded landscapes.
The minister and her team inspected the mine’s operations, including its FTS facility, and a forest restoration project that has been nurtured over a decade.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the project illustrated the time and commitment required to restore forest ecosystems, stressing that environmental rehabilitation must remain an integral part of mining operations.
“When we talk about reclamation of land, reforestation, preservation of the environment, it needs to go beyond just the words. And I think what we are seeing here is an example of the work put in,” she said.
She 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 said mining companies had a responsibility to minimise their ecological footprint and ensure that their operations did not leave host communities with lasting environmental damage.
EV battery recycling on the agenda
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 Minister of Environment, Science and Technology noted that the growing use of electric vehicles would make the safe disposal and recycling of used batteries more important, requiring appropriate facilities and environmental safeguards.
The proposed facility, if implemented, would add another dimension to the country’s emerging environmental management needs, particularly in handling waste associated with new technologies.
Company restores 40 hectares
The Environment Manager of Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, Mr. Kwame Obeng Dapaah, said the company was committed to undertaking concurrent reclamation of areas that were no longer required for mining.
He 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.
The initiative, he explained, formed part of the company’s efforts to rehabilitate affected landscapes and preserve the environment within its operational area.
Mr. Dapaah, however, identified illegal small-scale mining as a major environmental concern and called on the government to intensify efforts to combat the practice.
The Environment Manager of Zijin Golden Ridge Limited said stronger interventions were needed to limit the damage caused by illegal mining and protect human lives and the natural environment.
Osino galamsey site inspected
As part of the minister’s 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.
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