New Abirem Sept. 26, GNA - The Minerals Commission says contrary to fears expressed by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the operations of Newmont Akyem Project in the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve will not pose any threat to the environment. Mr James Adjei, Deputy Manager of the Commission, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency after a visit by Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Natural Resources, to the area on Thursday. He said in 1997 when a Government policy came out that mining companies could carry out their activities in forest reserves, the commission prepared guidelines on how they could do so without disturbing the environment.

Mr Adjei said the company submitted an Environmental Impact Statement detailing how it was going to do the mining and reclaim the land.

He said the document was reviewed, accepted and approved by a larger group comprising representatives from the Forestry Commission, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mr Adjei said when the company start operations, the group would monitor their activities to ensure that the forest is protected. He explained that only the pit would be allowed in the reserve while other facilities such as tailings dam, administration block and waste dump would be outside it.

Mr Adjei said after mining, the pit would be filled to acceptable level and all other areas re-claimed and re-vegetated. Alhaji Dauda told newsmen that he would listen to groups opposed to the operations of the company in the reserve before taking a decision on the matter. 26 Sept. 09