Newmont pledges to restore Ajenua Bepo forest

Newmont Golden Ridge Limited (NGRL) says it is committed to a reforestation offset project as part of mitigation measures for acquiring and mining 101 hectares of the Ajenua Bepo Forest Reserve.
 
This reforestation offset project covers 303 hectares, which in essence is a threefold replacement of the 101 hectares of the Ajenua Bepo Forest acquired for open pit mining.

This was made known on the occasion of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Forestry Commission and Newmont Golden Ridge Limited to commence the implementation of the second phase of the Newmont Reforestation Offset Programme.

The restoration programme forms part of the mitigation measures Newmont Ghana is undertaking in line with the approved Environmental Impact Statement for acquiring and mining 101 hectares out of the 568.56 hectares of Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve.

Already, NGRL has completed phase one of the project by establishing a 60-hectare plantation in off reserve areas between the company’s water storage dam and the Mamang Forest Reserve.

The MoU would see the commencement of the reclamation of 257 hectares of degraded forest land in the Kweikaru Forest Reserve in the Kade District of the Eastern Region to make up for the 303 hectares reforestation commitment.

Alwyn Pretorius, Regional Senior Vice President-Africa Operations, Newmont said: “We have demonstrated through what we have done so far under Phase 1 that we do take our commitments seriously. Responsibility is a core value of our company and that is the minimum standard we hold ourselves to. We believe that when you commit…you must honour.

“For a company, whose vision is to be recognised and respected for exceptional economic, environmental and social performance, I believe this reforestation commitment will go down as one of the success stories of environmental stewardship in the excretive industry.”

Dr. Elaine Dorward-King, Executive Vice President, Sustainability and External Relations for Newmont mentioned the commitment of the Forestry Commission to ensuring the fulfilment of a bold commitment in the approved Environmental Impact Statement.

“As responsible stewards of the environment, we continuously work towards a deeper commitment to environmental protection through strategic planning and management of our operational activities which have potential on the environment,” she said.

Dr. Doward-King said the Akyem reforestation project offers Newmont another opportunity to demonstrate to the world it’s little but significant contribution to the cause of good environmental management.

She indicated that the afforestation is critical because of the “natural ecosystem’s role as a vast reservoir of genetic resources and biodiversity, adding that the project would provide “important habitats for wildlife in particular threatened and endangered species. It will also ensure supply of natural pharmaceuticals, which have enormous export potential.”

Mr Yaw Okyere Ntrama, acting General Manager, Akyem Mine said the reforestation offset project is threefold replacement of the disturbed forest cover in the Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve, replacing 303 hectares of forest cover in the degraded Mamang Forest Reserve.

“We, in Newmont and especially those of us on the Akyem Mine will continue to work with all government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that we deliver successfully on this commitment programme whilst we continue to create value and improve lives through sustainable and responsible mining,” he said.

The Director of Forest Services Division, Mr Raphael Yeboah said the implementation of the project would help the Commission to achieve its vision of leaving future generations with a better richer and more valuable forest and wildlife resources than it inherited.

“The project apart from its environmental benefits of enhancing biodiversity also reduces carbon emissions to offset the company’s carbon footprints,” he added, that it would help create about 250 jobs in the local community.

Mr. Yeboah encouraged other mining companies to strive as part of their social responsibility programmes to invest some of their resources back into the enhancement of biodiversity and green projects and not always the provision of physical structures for the communities.