The Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC) has commissioned a biodiversity and hydrology baseline study on the Atewa Forest Reserve to provide scientific data evidence on flora and fauna as well as water bodies in the forest to guide the intended mining of bauxite in the reserve to mitigate its impact.
The study is being conducted by the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources -Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The outcome of the Study and recommendations will be forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Concerns have been raised by both local and international environmental NGOs about the negative impact mining bauxite in Atewa Forest would have on the forest with a call on the government to abort its plans instead convert the forest into a national park.
However, the CEO of GIADEC, Mr Michael Ansah say, the Corporation is committed to responsible and sustainable mining therefore due diligent will be done to mitigate any potential negative impact. He said only a small fraction of the Atewa Forest will be disturbed for the purpose of mining bauxite deposit and not the entire forest as being peddled around.
“Baseline study about biodiversity issues in our forest areas and then the water bodies where river take their source, what the impact will be are what we are doing. And we intentionally spent the time on this now because that is going to be the basis for anything that we do “.
“First thing that our strategic partners will do is to give them exclusivity period to carry out the prospecting to establish the quality and quantity of bauxite that we have, to complete the visibility studies, the environmental impact assessment, and base on what we have done, the baseline study that we have done before we obtain a mining license and the necessary approval including in some cases Parliamentary approvals before we commence mining.”
He added “we are going to work with our partners. We have done some studies in Atewa we’ve done some studies at Nyinahin, to understand the quality and quantity of bauxite that we have. Our partners will help us complete that scope of work”
“GIADEC is all about responsible mining. We want to make sure that what we do here – our brand is not tarnished by irresponsible mining practices -Practices that will lead to pollution of our water bodies, practices that will lead to the destruction of our forest. We do not want our brand to be tarnished by these. So we are selecting Partners who will adhere to these standards that we want to drive. We are determined to establish a thriving and sustainable business and we are also very mindful of the environmental risk. GIADEC is committed to doing the right thing. We are informed by data and fact. we want to design the right solution”.
Prof.BB Campion, a senior Lecturer and lead researcher on Biodiversity and hydrology baseline study on Atewa Forest said, currently illegal mining, illegal logging, invasive alien species, poaching are some identified threats to the forest.
He the mining of bauxite in the forest will help curb this illegal activities.
Prof.Campion was of the view that, like the Amazon forest and other globally significant biodiversity centres, mining can be done with mitigated impact if laid down environmental regulations are adhered to.
“This is a fact that multiple uses of land can be achieved when mining is done in accordance with best practices and adherence to legislative and regulatory requirement. There is no doubt that we can’t have multiple uses of the land. Get our mineral and also get benefit out of it and later reclaim and vegetate only if we have the commitment”.
The Director of Mines at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mr Ransford Sekyi, outlined the processes for acquiring permits and commended the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation for duly following EPA’s procedures.
He explained that even though mining was yet to begin, GIADEC had consulted and involved the EPA in all of its preliminary activities.
“In Ghana, we have what it takes to conduct responsible bauxite mining without adverse negative impact on the environment,” Mr Sekyi said
He stated that GIADEC will also be subjected to reclamation Bond-Regulation 23 of LI 1652 to ensure that it deposits a huge amount for management of any repercussions for a period after mining. “GIADEC will be subjected to this required to deposit bonds or cash for environmental redemption should it fail to mitigate its impact. The amount is refundable if no implication recorded “
He said EPA will also pay attention to operational and closure phase monitoring which include submission of environmental monitoring returns, operational phase compliance, closure and post phase monitoring for three to seven years
Adwoa Paintsil, Director – Environmental Quality at Water Resources Commission said her outfit would restrict any activity that threatens water sources and livelihoods. She took participants through the commission’s permitting processes, saying once GIADEC and its partners went through the appropriate permitting processes then the Birim, Densu and Ayensu, all rivers in the Atewa forest, were sure to be protected.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
