The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has held a “public hearing” on the proposed Ahafo North Gold Mining and Processing project by Newmont Ghana Gold Corp Limited at Yamfo in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.
The project when completed will see a section of the Sunyani-Kumasi road, approximately 11 kilometers between Afrisipakrom and Terchire diverted to make way for Mining.
This came to light as the EPA and Official of Newmont Ahafo mines engaged the people in a public hearing to discuss issues concerning the project.
The scope of the proposed project by the Newmont Goldcorp will include; the construction of a 3.7 million tonnes per annum standalone Ore Processing Plant, three East Rock Disposal Facilities, 10 Sediment Control Structures, Ore and growth media stockpiles, a Tailings Storage Facility and a Water Storage Facility.
The project will also include the diversion of a section of Sunyani-Kumasi road, approximately 11 kilometers between Afrisipakrom and Terchire to avoid the potential risk to road users as the current road alignment runs through a proposed pit site.
Five communities in the Tano North Municipality will be affected by this project.
These areas include; Adrobaa, Terchire, Afrisipakrom, Susuanso and Yamfo.
The Public Hearing at Yamfo was very well attended by the Chiefs and people of the affected communities. Addressing it, the Head of Mining at the EPA, Eng. Michael Sabin said, the EPA will ensure that the environment is protected.
The Regional Project Director at the Ahafo North Project of Newmont, Steven Petrofes, in an address said, their purpose as a business is to add value and improve lives through sustainable and responsible mining.
He said, they have demonstrated that over the years, maintaining high environmental standards and performance and they will continue to do that in the Ahafo North operation.
Mr. Petrofes said, their aim is to ensure that the project creates shared value in the areas of employment and other socioeconomic benefits to the communities and the country at large.
Dr. Agyenim Boateng who represented one of the consulting firms on the Project, Golden Associates said the land allocated for project is 18,000 hectares but initially they will be working on 4.000 hectares.
Mr. Agyenim Boateng said measures are in place to ensure the safety of the people in the areas of Noise pollution, Air and Water pollution and sanitation among others.
The Ahafo Regional Minister, Evans Opoku Bobie for his part called on the Chiefs of the five communities affected by the project to critically analyse the agreements between them and the Newmont for it to benefit the indigenes.
Earlier in an open forum, the chiefs and people of the communities called on Newmont to abide by their promises like compensating affected farmers and relocating affected communities among others.
Story filed by Daniel Donkor
