Mining companies hold safety competition

Obuasi, Oct. 09, GNA - Mr Ebenezer Sackey, Chief Inspector of Taxes has called on managements of mining companies to provide the needed logistics to train residents in mining communities on safety and first aid practices.

He said such training would have positive impact on the communities with regard to safety within a mining environment.

Mr Sackey made the call at this year's Zone Two Inter-Mine Safety and First Aid Competition at Obuasi at the weekend.

Four mining companies, AngloGold Ashanti (Obuasi), AngloGold Ashanti (Bibiani), Chirano Goldmines at Sefwi-Bekwai and Ghana Bauxite Company Limited at Awaso, participated. Mr Sackey said 93I will like to see something different next year where the indigenous communities will produce a demonstration at such competitions.=94

However, he said two communities Danquah Estate Watch Team and Bibiani Community First Aid Team gave a demonstration at the competition similar to that of Tarkwa last year, where four communities participated.

Mr Joseph K. Boampong, Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, acknowledged the role the new leadership of Obuasi Mine was playing to create partnership between the company and mining communities. He said sustainable development initiative for mining communities was a sign of the company's new attitude towards the communities adding, 93The Obuasi Municipal Assembly is very much enthused about it.=94

Mr Boampong, who is a Mine Safety Practitioner, endorsed the need for mining communities to be encouraged to appreciate safety practices. Mr Danie Spies, Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti (Obuasi), said the mine had recorded improvement in its safety practices. He said safety was the integral part of mining operations but reminded the mineworkers that 93Workplace is never safe, it is the actions of people that make it safe or risk to life.=94

Mr Spies re-stated the economic importance of mining to the development of a country but stressed that a mine without safety, good environmental conditions and not caring for its people was not a mine. Mrs Hilda Commey, Executive Secretary and First Aid Tutor of Saint John Ambulance in Accra, said there were new protocols in first aid that the teams should be abreast with.

AngloGold Obuasi came first with 85 points followed by Ghana Bauxite Company with 73.6 points with Chirano Goldmine who participated for the first time placing third with 65 points and AngloGold Bibiani fourth with 64.2 points.