MP Holds Discussion With AGC On Operations

Obuasi Mr. A. B. Boadi-Mensah, Member of Parliament for Obuasi, has held a meeting with the management of the Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) to find solutions to the effects of the company's mining operations on the Obuasi constituency. Speaking to the press after the meeting yesterday, Mr. Boadi- Mensah said the meeting offered him the opportunity to know how the company is managing pollution, health hazards and the destruction of farms in the area. He said AGC paid 4.5 billion cedis as compensation to persons whose properties were destroyed in and around Obuasi last year. He said the company would pay an estimated 7.6 billion cedis as compensation this year, adding the meeting discussed the company's operations at Sanso and how to solve pollution problems in the area. The meeting also discussed AGC's support for the electrification programme being embarked upon by communities in the constituency. The MP said the re-vegetation of areas where there have been surface mining was also discussed. He stressed that AGC must be seen as sustaining the economy in the mining sector but urged the company to ensure environmental protection in order to enjoy the co-operation of the communities in its mining areas.