Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment Ends Inspection Tour of Mines in Ashanti and Ahafo Regions
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology has concluded a working tour of mining companies and affected communities in the Ashanti and Ahafo Regions, urging operators to uphold their environmental and social responsibilities.
The Committee, which visited AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine, Newmont Ghana in the Ahafo South District, and Asanko Gold Mines, assessed environmental management practices, safety standards and community relations at the various sites.
Addressing the media at the end of the tour, the Committee noted that illegal mining remains a major threat to the environment and public safety, and called on government to increase budgetary allocations to regulatory and security agencies to strengthen the fight against the menace.
Members of the Committee expressed satisfaction with the safety and environmental protection measures observed at the large-scale mining operations, particularly in the areas of water body protection, forest reserve conservation and the management of Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) dams.
However, the Committee raised concerns over the absence of comprehensive climate change mitigation policies at some of the sites, stressing the need for clear frameworks to protect surrounding communities from potential climate-related impacts.
The Select Committee reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure responsible mining practices that safeguard the environment while supporting sustainable development.
