Mine responsibly, sustainably – Otumfuo to GIADEC

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged the Board and Management of the newly-established Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) to adopt world best practices that will ensure responsible and sustainable mining.

The Asante monarch gave the charge when a delegation from GIADEC paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The delegation was led by GIADEC Board Chairman Dr Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIADEC, Mr Michael Ansah. They used the occasion to brief the Asantehene on the work of the Corporation since its inception, and how GIADEC was positioning itself to ensure the development of vibrant integrated aluminium industry in Ghana by fully harnessing the nation's rich resources and anchoring their operations on deep community engagement coupled with responsible and sustainable mining.

The Nyinahin Bauxite Reserve in the Ashanti Region is the largest of the three major known deposits in the country.

GIADEC also used the opportunity to seek advice and support from the Asantehene as it progresses with its operations.

Addressing the delegation, the Asantehene welcomed the team and assured them of his full support to ensure that the objectives of the corporation were fully realised to the benefit of the impacted communities and the nation in general. He charged the Board and Management of the Corporation to ensure that the host communities benefit immensely from its activities.

The Board Chairman, Dr Oteng-Gyasi, thanked the Asantehene for receiving them and introduced the members of the delegation to him. He explained the purpose of the visit, which he said was to inform the traditional leader about the establishment of GIADEC, and the work that the Corporation is planning to embark upon, including exploratory drilling at Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region to verify the bauxite reserve base.

Dr Oteng-Gyasi traced the history of Bauxite mining at Awawaso which dates back to the 1940s, and stressed the Corporation's focus on the impact of Bauxite mining, and adherence to best practice and responsible mining principles to ensure maximum protection of the environment, while driving economic development to the benefit of the impacted communities and the nation at large.

Other members of the GIADEC Board present at the meeting were the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Members of Parliament; Benito Owusu Bio and Patrick Bogyako-Siaime, Dr Henry Benyah and Mr Humphrey Ayim-Darke. Other members of the Board in attendance were Nana Amampene Boateng Twum II, Nyinahinhene, Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua, Okenhemaa, and Dr Ben Adoo.

The delegation was also joined by the District Chief Executive for Atwima Mponua, Williams Yaw Darko; Deputy CEO of GIADEC, Akwasi Osei-Adjei and Kojo Yankah, also from GIADEC.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in August 2018 assented to the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Corporation Act 2018 marking the final stage of the legislation. With the Act in place, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation is expected to promote and develop an integrated aluminium industry as well as provide for related matters.