Newmont assures to reclaim mining land

Tema, May 28, GNA - The management of Newmont Ghana Limited, a mining company operating in the Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions, has assured the nation of reclaiming the land on which they mine. The management said mindful of the harmful effects of environmental degradation, the company has embarked upon vigorous tree planting exercise to reclaim the land and urged towns where they are operating to rest assured.

Dr Chris Anderson, Group Executive Officer on Environment, Social, Responsibility and Communications of the company, said this during the national launch of tree planting campaign at Tema.

It was organized by the Newmont in conjunction with the Ghana National Scholarship Beneficiaries Association (GNASBA) and observed under the theme "the youth and sustainable environment".

"Using the very latest technology, Newmont has reclaimed old mines into a great terrain for biking and off-road driving. These old mines were reclaimed by the Idarado Mining Company, a subsidiary of Newmont Mining".

He said his company was in partnership with Conservation International to make use of their expertise in biodiversity so that "we can achieve the highest standards of environmental responsibility". So far the company has provided about 50,000 seedlings of various species to the GNASBA as well as the President's Special Initiative on reforestation.

"We will be able to reclaim and stabilize the land after the extraction of ore", Dr Anderson remarked. The company, he said, was also in partnership with the Forestry Commission to enhance the status of the forest reserves which is significantly degraded due to logging and agricultural use prior to any mineral activity.

He explained that the youth are being actively involved in the exercise so that they develop the interest in tree planting at a tender age to ensure reforestation all year round. Dr Anderson planted the first of the 2,500 seedlings at the Aggrey Road Complex School while Mrs Lucy Kwapong, the Municipal Director of Education, planted the second and Akwasi Baffour Oppong, the Chairman of FY/DK 28 May 06

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