Sefwi-Wiawso (W/R), March 30, GNA - The Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry, has vowed to make sure that the operations of mining companies in the country conformed to environmental safety standards. Mr Gershon Gbediame, Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta-South, said there was no way they would turn blind eye to the destruction of the environment.

He said this after he had led members of the Committee to tour the Chirano Goldmines at Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western Region to observe at firsthand their operations on Tuesday. The Mines produces an average of 123,000 ounces gold every year and mining is done right inside a forest reserve.

Mr Gbediame expressed the Committee's satisfaction with the way Chirano was carrying out its mining activities. He also praised them for living up to their social responsibilities to the communities and encouraged the management of the company to work hard to help improve the living conditions of the people. Earlier, Mr John Seaward, the General Manager, told the MPs that they were working closely with the Forestry Commission to replant the lost vegetation with indigenous timber species.

He said, additionally, they were in constant touch with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that their operations do not either pollute or damage the ecology. Mr Seaward said they had targeted to produce 264,445 ounces of gold this year, up from the last year's figure of 183,425 ounces. Chirano paid a total of 64.25 million dollars in mineral and forest royalties during year 2009. It has within its 15 years of operation in Ghana, spent a total of 278,000 dollars on various projects in the areas of health, education and sanitation 30 March 10