Business News of Tuesday, 14 October 1997

Source: --

Mining Company Assures Community Of Safe Environment

Bechem (Brong Ahafo Region), 13 Oct. The Bonsu Gold Holdings Company prospecting in some parts of the Tano District has assured the people that it would continue to operate within the laws of the country to safeguard their interests. The people should, therefore, clear their minds of the suspicion of cheating in the payment of compensation for crops destroyed and other allegations resulting in frequent confrontation, especially between workers of mining companies and farmers. Mr. George Mensah Tetteh, senior geologist, and Mr. William Forson, technical officer, both of the company, were answering questions on its operations at the district assembly's second ordinary session at Bechem. Mr. Tetteh said the company, which has two concessions totalling 350 square kilometres, submits monthly reports to the Minerals Commission and co-ordinates its activities with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that the welfare and economic activities of the people were not adversely affected. He said the company has been authorised to enter into agreements with individual farmers whose crops would be destroyed for prompt payment of compensation, adding that the company had been honest in this issue. Before feasibility studies end in the middle of next year, full environmental assessment would be conducted to provide certain facilities like water to some communities in the company's areas of operation, he said.