George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister of Lands, points at an infraction, whilst others look on
A Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining, George Mireku-Duker, has charged the Akroma Gold Mining Company in the Kwahu West Municipality of the Eastern Region to adhere to relevant mining regulations.
He gave the charge during a working visit to the company to familiarise himself with the operations of the company and identify areas where improvement is necessary.
The Deputy Minister, upon inspection of the mining company’s premises, identified a series of alarming infractions that stood at odds with the stringent regulations governing the mining industry.
These concerns included the absence of proper dressing and changing rooms, an inadequate working environment, dangerous proximity of the fuel pump to the operational area, and a lack of proper dining facilities. As a result of these blatant shortcomings, Mr Duker promptly summoned officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to visit the site urgently and assess the gravity of the situation.
The Deputy Minister asserted that the current state of the environment did not align with the stature of a significant mining enterprise. He emphasised that the company’s immediate attention was required to rectify these issues and establish a safer, more compliant environment for its workforce.
Mr Mireku Duker underscored the importance of cultivating robust relations with the communities where mining operations take place. He urged the management of Akroma Gold Mining Company to embark on meaningful developmental initiatives in the local communities, with the aim of fostering a harmonious relationship between the company and its host communities.
Local content
He also stressed the necessity of prioritising local content representation within the company’s workforce to align with the established regulations. The Deputy Minister iterated that all mining companies within the country were expected to ramp up their recruitment of Ghanaian staff members, in adherence to the pertinent regulations.
He urged Akroma Gold Mining Company to take the necessary measures to bolster their local workforce within the given timeframe. He gave the company 90-days ultimatum to address all identified infractions, failing which stern sanctions would be imposed.
The Deputy Minister called upon the company to rejuvenate its relationship with the local Municipal Assembly, highlighting the Assembly’s indispensable role as a crucial stakeholder in the realm of mineral rights administration.
He extended the Ministry’s assurance of unwavering support to Akroma Gold Mining Company in tackling issues related to illegal mining within its concession.
Mr. Samuel Teye Agyemang, the Mines Manager of Akroma Gold Mining Company Limited, assured the Deputy Minister of the company’s dedication to promptly addressing the raised concerns.
Mr Agyemang reiterated the company’s commitment to making a constructive impact on the various communities within its operational vicinity.
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