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26.10.2007 Business & Finance

Adopt Best M’gt Practices •Mining Coys Urged

By Daily Guide
Adopt Best Mgt Practices Mining Coys Urged
26.10.2007 LISTEN

GOLD MINING companies have been urged to implement the provisions of the Cyanide Code of Practice and adopt best management practices to ensure that their operations are safe and environmentally friendly.

Esther Obeng-Dapaah, Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines made the call yesterday at a workshop on Cyanide Code, organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines for gold mining companies in the country.

She said the adoption of the Code would go a long way to create confidence in the operations of mining companies.

The Code, a standard meant for operators of gold mines as well as producers and transporters of chemicals, requires that cyanide transporters implement appropriate emergency response plans and capabilities, and protect communities during cyanide transportation.

Mrs. Obeng-Dapaah commended the Chamber for steps taken to ensure that its members were abreast of modern trends in cyanide management, adding that the regulatory agencies should encourage their officers to seriously participate in the workshop.

She urged mining companies to sign onto the Code to ensure that Ghana was free from cyanide-related problems.

“As you are aware, the environment is shared by all of us. Any untoward acts taken in the course of your operations will therefore affect all us.”

Ms. Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Mines said her outfit would make the Code a living document, saying that they wanted to be at the cutting edge as far as environmental standards were concerned.

Cyanide is a chemical used by miners to extract gold.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah

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