Newmont Ahafo Mine wins safety competition

Kenyasi Number Two (B/A), Aug. 31, GNA – The Ahafo Mine project of the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited emerged winners of this year's Zone II Mine Safety and First Aid competition held at its plant site at Kenyasi Number Two in Asutifi District.

The competition was under the theme “Safe Mining; Our core business” and organized under the auspices of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission.

As an annual affair, the competition was aimed at bringing together representatives of mining companies and their host communities towards creating safety and first aid awareness among themselves.

Other competitors were Ghana Bauxite Company, Kinross Chirano Gold Mines Limited, Noble Gold Limited and Owere Gold Limited.

A similar competition was also held for the communities in which the mining companies are operating with Bibiani community where Noble Gold Limited is operating in the Western Region placing first

Ahafo mine and the Babiani community will represent the Zone at the National Competition schedule to be held in Accra on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

Dr. Tony Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, reiterated the need for mining companies to make safety the most important component in their operations.

He called on local actors to collaborate with the Chamber and regulators to curb the menace of illegal mining in the country and reiterated the chamber's support for legal small – scale mining.

Mr. Stephen Piedu, Chief Inspector of Mines, at the Minerals Commission, advised illegal miners to regularize their activities by registering with the appropriate regulators and authorities.

He advised mining companies to increase their effort at maintaining precautionary health and safety measures within their work places.

GNA