Mines chamber to join ministry to protect environment

The President of the Chamber of Mines, Mr Johan Ferreira, has said the chamber is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to ensure that mining regulations are adhered to in order to protect the environment.

He said it was unfortunate that activities of illegal miners had given the mining industry a bad image although in the last three years it had recorded significant increase and contributed 68 per cent to domestic revenue. 

“Usually large companies are responsible and environmental friendly. We must look at possible solutions and particularly see how collectively we can assist the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to operate effectively,” he said, when some executives of the chamber called on the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, in Accra.

However, he commended the EPA for the introduction of Akoben System which had brought some level of sanity in the environment sector.

Mr Opong-Fosu noted that the issues raised were important and that the ministry would take a second look to address them.

He asked the chamber of mines to write to the ministry with time lines, saying some of the issues would involve chiefs and stakeholders on the way forward to raise awareness.