Mines Under Scrutiny

The results of a special exercise to assess the extent to which mining companies comply with Ghana's environmental laws are expected in June, says Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The exercise is being undertaken by the EPA, in collaboration with the World Bank, to evaluate the performance of mining companies, especially their compliance with environmental laws.

Anthony Andoh, director of the mining department of EPA, who disclosed this to the paper, said seven mining companies have already been assessed.

These are Tarkwa Anglogold, Tarkwa Goldfields Ghana Limited, Ghana Manganese Company at Nsuta, Aboso Goldfields, Bogoso Gold Limited, Sankofa Goldfields at Prestea, and Wexford Goldfields Limited at Akyempim. They are being rated according to a colour code, ranging from red to gold, indicating their performance.

Mr Andoh described the exercise as “very helpful,” saying that a company, which did not perform well, would lose its would-be clientele because the results would be posted on the internet and “no investor will deal with a company which is not performing well.”

He assured the companies that the exercise was not aimed at putting any of them in a negative light. Mrs Margaret Ahiadeke, head of legal department of EPA, said the environmental performance declaration (EPD) exercise would also be extended to district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies to assess their waste management. She said a pilot project was being carried out and if it proved successful, the policy would be implemented next year.