Canadian High Commission engages miners on CSR

The Canadian High Commission in Ghana has held a forum in Accra to afford stakeholders an opportunity to discuss Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) issues, and find out how to address environmental challenges in the mining sector.

 

The forum, theme, ‘Addressing Environmental Challenges toward Sustainable Mining in Ghana’, urged them to see CSR as a ‘good business’ and not as a favour toward their community of operations, since it provides a win-win situation for both parties.

The forum brought together a panel of personalities including Mr. Jeffrey Davidson, a renowned Canadian CSR Counsellor who is in the country for a visit; Mr. Kenneth Norris, General Manager of Chirano Gold Mines Ltd.; Mr. Ransford Sekyi, Director of Intersectoral Network, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Mr. Richard Ellimah, Executive Director of the Centre for Social IMPACT Studies.

Mr. Christopher Thornley, the Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana, urged mining companies to recognise CSR as a right and responsible behaviour that promotes good business and benefits all.

He emphasised that Canada will ensure that in all its business operations in Ghana, Canadian mining companies operating in the country provide responsible business practices as they work to benefit both countries.

Among the Canadian mining companies operating in Ghana are Chirano Gold Mines Limited, Golden Star Resources, Endeavour Mines and Asanko Gold Mines.

Mr. Thornley said with much potential for mining in West Africa, Ghana is a priority market for Canada and that both countries need to continue strengthening the existing trade relationship that dates back to 1957.

Mr. Norris said his company has since 2005 been operating in the country by observing good environmental practices in its catchment area.

“We see environmental protection as good business, because it ensures efficient water use and safe water for everybody. It encourages biodiversity and a more natural environment.”

He said the company’s reclamation process also begins even before it starts construction of a mining site, while it ensures reduction of cyanide use and zero-discharge of water. 

Mr. Ellimah, who is also a member of the National Coalition on Mining, said the mining communities see the environment as their life, and so any activity or operation that disturbs their environment affects their livelihoods.

He said mining community members always have issues with pollution of their water-bodies arising from the spillage of chemicals like cyanide and mercury, used by both legal and illegal miners, leading to water shortage in these communities.

He said studies have also shown that shortage of water affects education of girls living in such mining communities -- explaining that such girls have to abandon school and walk for long distances to look for water for their family members.

Mr. Ellimah called for strict enforcement of environmental laws to protect and prevent further deterioration of the environment. 

Mr. Sekyi said environmental management is a shared responsibility, so stakeholders should all join hands in protecting the environment.

“EPA's staff strength is about 320 against a population of 25 million Ghanaians, so EPA cannot police the environment alone," he said. Mr. Davidson, on his part advised mining companies to ensure that they reclaim the mining site after their operations ends.

“You should ensure that people have at least life that is equivalent to what they had before the mining started in their communities," he said.