The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged mining companies operating in the country to adopt responsible operational standards that prioritize environmental preservation and sustainable development.
Speaking following a field assessment tour of mining communities in the Eastern Region, the Minister highlighted the stark contrast between illegal mining activities and structured industrial operations, citing her visit to Zijin Mining’s site in New Abirem as a clear example of environmental management in action.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings noted that while the devastation observed at illegal mining sites in areas such as Osino highlights the severe threats facing Ghana’s natural heritage, properly managed operations demonstrate that resource extraction does not have to cause irreversible damage to the environment.
During her visit to the New Abirem facility, ministry officials were taken through the company’s ongoing environmental mitigation initiatives.
These include progressive land reclamation projects, the rehabilitation of mined-out concessions, structured tree planting exercises, and targeted ecological restoration efforts.
The Minister emphasized that while mineral resources remain vital to driving national economic growth, their extraction must not compromise the integrity of water bodies, agricultural land, or local ecosystems.
She stressed that environmental stewardship must become the universal baseline for all extraction activities across the country, adding that responsible mining practices must cease to be an exception and instead become the mandatory industry standard to protect the wellbeing of future generations.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana