Obuasi, (Ash), Nov. 22, GNA- The AngloGold Ashanti (Obuasi Mine) would spend over two million dollars on environmental rehabilitation and restoration, Mr Daniel Osei-Bonsu, the Mine's Environmental Manager has said.

Speaking to newsmen at Obuasi after the Company had unveiled its new environmental policy on Tuesday, Mr Osei-Bonsu indicated that, the Company had made funds available for rehabilitation and restoration programmes to protect the environment.

He said both the public and indeed all stakeholders needs to be educated on the impact of their activities and that of the minis operations on the environment.

Mr Osei-Bonsu said the Company's contractors had been asked to ensure that their activities did not impact negatively on the environment.

Touching on the Company's new environmental policy, the Manager stressed that "we have now linked our policies to meet the International Standards Organisation requirements, which is known as ISO 14001". He said the Mine was going to implement an environmental management plan to ensure continuous improvement on its environmental practices. Mr Osei-Bonsu said one of the requirements for certification in ISO 14001 was to make the Company's environmental policy public and "this is what we have done today".

"For once, the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has given opportunity to the people of Obuasi to reverse the wrongs done to the environment as a result of their activities".

The Environmental Manager appealed to the people "to grab the opportunity and support it to sustain the objectives of the company on environment".

Mr Daniel Spies, the Managing Director of the Obuasi Mine unveiled the new environmental policy statement at a ceremony at Obuasi.