Accra, Oct. 6, GNA - Ms Mawuena Dumor, Communications Manager of Newmont Ghana Limited, on Friday re-affirmed the Company's commitment to institute sound environmental control measures especially in areas of their operations.

She said environmental conservation was dear to the Company's heart to ensure that mining activities did not harm the ecology and endanger the lives of staff and communities in which they operated.

Ms Dumor was speaking at the 13th anniversary of the Ghana National Scholarship Beneficiaries Association (GNASBA), which was also used to launch an environmental sanitation campaign on the theme: The Environment: Our Survival and Heritage."

"Newmont has reforested a total of 182,000 hectares in Brong Ahafo alone. Our avian aquaculture in Techire in the same Region, has also grown over 182,000 seedlings and donated over 278,000 seedlings to various groups in the area," she said.

Ms Dumor mentioned the construction of several environmental control dams at their mining sites to ensure that silt did not contaminate water bodies as part of environmental control structures of Newmont. "The environment, health and safety issues and social responsibility will remain central to our operations and we will continue to ensure proper management of these critical areas for the benefit of all stakeholders," she said.

She called for an all year round discussion of issues pertaining to the integrity of the environment urging the Leadership of GNASBA to widen the scope of its environmental activities to involve more corporate agencies and bodies.

Mr Baffour Akwasi Oppong, National Chairman of GNASBA, announced that the Association was soliciting support to enable it provide about 20,000 litter bins to various first and second cycle schools to ensure proper disposal of waste in schools.

He also mentioned a tree planting project of 100 seedlings, which was aimed at honouring Yaa Asantewaa, the Great Warrior, as well as to help in conserving the environment.

He commended Fan milk Ghana Limited for the support they gave to the programme and urged other organization to emulate.

In a speech read on behalf, Mrs Victoria Opoku, Ga West District Director of Education, she said conscious attempts should be made to protect the environment since environmental conservation was critical to human survival.