Accra, Nov. 24, GNA - The Chamber of Mines on Wednesday commended the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its AKOBEN programme, describing it as a positive mechanism to evaluate and disclose environmental and social performance.

The chamber however, noted that the system is not perfect and said in future it would be streamlined in collaboration with the private sector. The commendation was made in a statement issued in Accra after the launch of the programme. Results from the programme indicated that available environmental statistics of the ratings and disclosure under AKOBEN in the operations of 60 companies including the mining companies recorded poor and unsatisfactory.

Some major mining companies such as Anglogold Ashanti, Ghana Bauxite company, Gold Fields Ghana Limited, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited scored poor. Accra Brewery, Coca Cola Bottling Company, Kasapreko Company Limited, Alluworks, Ameen Sangari Limited, Dupaul Wood Treatment, GIHOC Distilleries, Guinness Ghana Limited-Kumasi, Juaben Oil Mills, Kinapharma, Twifo Oil Palm Plantation and Crocodile Machets also performed poorly. The chamber expressed concern that many of its member companies obtained low ratings in some categories.

"Some of this relates to the growing pains of the AKOBEN system. In its current form, the chamber believes the AKOBEN audit does not give a true representation of our members' performance," it added. Dr Joyce R. Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of Chamber of Mines, affirmed that "the Chamber of Mines looks forward to working with the EPA and other partners on improving the AKOBEN system and ratings of all our members through continuous improvement of our environmental performance". "We will continue to be guided by the conditions of our approved environmental permits and making the system work for companies, communities, government and the environment," she added. The statement said member companies were in the process of reviewing their AKOBEN reports and would be engaging with the EPA on corrective actions where appropriate.

Dr Aryee reiterated that "our member companies are committed to sustainable continuous improvement and will work to improve our monitoring proficiency and our overall environmental and social performance." 24 Nov. 10