Settle Ghana NGO Calls For Responsible Bauxite Mining

The Ghana Integrated Bauxite and Aluminium Authority have been advised to signup to the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standards Certification Program to ensure responsible bauxite mining in the country.

The director of Settle Ghana, a non-governmental organization, Mr. Abu Karimu made the appeal in response to agitations by some indigenous people who are resisting plans by the government of Ghana to allow Sinohydro, a Chinese company to mine bauxite in the Atewa forest.

According to Mr. Karimu, to have a win-win situation, the best and appropriate thing to do is for the government to avail itself to the checks and balances in the game.

Mr. Abu Karimu said the certification to the ASI standards will enable the bauxite mining companies to demonstrate their total commitment to the social, environmental and ethical standards.

He said mining has a considerable impact on the environment which his organization (Settle Ghana) believe needs to be managed and mitigated.

The ASI performance standards cover critical issues for the entire aluminum value chain, including greenhouse emissions, waste management, biodiversity, and Human Rights.

Atewa range forest is a globally significant biodiversity area and the largest of only two upland evergreen forests in Ghana.

The reserve contains rare and endangered species, serving as headwaters of three main rivers including the Birim, Densu and Ayensu rivers which together provides water for over 5 million Ghanaians.

Ghana has been mining bauxite since the 1940s and only second to Guinea in terms of deposits.