Africa-Press – Ghana. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has organised a stakeholder’s engagement for communities within the catchment areas of the Jegri Bekala Limited in the Bono Region.
The mining company has secured concessional area for surface/alluvial gold mining in the Dormaa Central Municipality and the Dormaa East District.
Held separately at Amasu and Kyeremasu in the municipality and the district respectively, the meetings were part of the processes for acquisition of an environmental permit to give the mine the greenlight to commence operation.
The company has already submitted a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to the Authority. It was attended by opinion leaders, assembly members, traditional rulers, representatives of faith-based organisations, women’s association and vulnerable groups, youth associations, academia and farmers groups. Drawn from Subinkro, Tronang, Kwameasua, Pampaso, Aboabo Number Two, Aboabo Number Three and Aboabo Number Four communities, the meetings provided opportunities communities to participate in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as required by Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) and the Environmental Assessment Procedure.
The meeting collected inputs from the participants on the environmental, social, and economic implications of mining activities. Mr Dominic Adomah Ameyaw, the Dormaa Central Chief Executive expressed the Assembly’s commitment in ensuring that the mining company delivered its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations by creating employment opportunities for the people and the development of the local communities.
He expressed concern about illegal mining activities in the area which had led to the destruction of the environment, plundering of natural resources and polluting water bodies, and assured commitment of the Jegri Bekala Limited to undertake responsible mining in the area.
Mr Ameyaw said the meetings were testament of the company’s preparedness to undertake responsible mining and adhering to best practices and standards, saying the company had assured to open its doors for scrutiny and monitoring.
Nana Yaa Korkor Sakyiwaa III, the Ankobeahemaa (sub-queen) of the Dormaa Traditional Area and a member of the Board of Directors of Jegri Bekala Limited called on the EPA to be transparent and accountable in the discharge of their duties.
She said the traditional authorities in the area were ready to deepen collaboration, build trust, and continuously develop enhanced relationships and partnership, saying the traditional leaders would also seek the interest of the communities.
Mr Anthony Bright Kojo Duah, the Acting Bono Regional Director of the EPA explained that draft copies of the EIA/EIS document were available at the Authority’s regional office in Sunyani, online and at the Dormaa Municipal Assembly to promote transparency and accountability.
Mr Elvis Oppong Yeboah, a Programmes Officer at the EPA said the Authority was mandated to regulate activities on the environment and coordinated mining sector activities and other sectors through the Environmental Impact Assessment Administration (EIAA) saying it was also mandated to organise the meeting.
In an open forum, some of the participants spoke on issues ranging from remuneration and welfare of workers, local content, educational packages, reclamation procedures, and procedures of compensation payment.
Mr Bernard Osei Gyamfi, the Project Consultant for Jegri Bekala Limited assured that the company would promote responsible mining to protect the environment.
He said: “The company will adopt and apply the strip modified mining method which allows us to immediately cover dug out pits and holes then later cultivate suitable crops or trees on the covered pit or hole to reclaim the land and decommission it”.
Mr Gyamfi said the mining concession covered 63.7 square kilometres, with the Amasu area having largest concession, assuring that the company would seek the services and expertise of agriculture and cocoa officers to assist in the evaluation of affected farmlands and individuals to determine payment of compensation on mutual agreement.
He said the company would also implement alternative livelihood enhancement programmes like soap making or grass cutter rearing to benefit the locals.
Mr Gyamfi said the company was still in the pre-construction phase and had had engagements with the traditional authorities.
Dr Samuel Kumi, a Senior Lecturer at the Environmental Management Department of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) called for a constitution of a cogent committee, inclusive of legal practitioners and agriculture experts to assist in the evaluation of affected farmlands and individual properties and asset for the payment of compensation.
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