Peduase (E/R), Dec. 11, – The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, says green mining practices are crucial to curbing illegal mining and restoring degraded environments.
He said green mining had become a national priority due to the growing threat posed by illegal mining to water bodies, farmlands and communities.
The remarks were delivered on his behalf by Mr Maxwell Klu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, at the opening of a three-day workshop for editors and reporters at Peduase in the Eastern Region.
The workshop, organised by the Ghana News Agency in partnership with the Association of China-Ghana Mining, seeks to equip participants with knowledge on sustainable mining, ethical reporting and regulatory compliance.
Green mining refers to environmentally responsible mineral extraction practices that reduce pollution, minimise land degradation, conserve energy and water, and promote the rehabilitation of mining sites.
Mr. Buah said green mining offered a sustainable path that reduces environmental damage through renewable energy use, waste reduction, water conservation, ethical extraction techniques and strong community engagement.
“Its full deployment will significantly curb illegal mining, which remains an existential threat to our lives and sustainable growth,” he added.
The minister said Ghana’s legal and policy frameworks, including the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and several international environmental conventions, demonstrated the country’s commitment to high standards in responsible mining.
He noted that government had intensified measures to deter illegal mining, including the revocation of Legislative Instrument 2462, which previously enabled the granting of mining permits in forest reserves.
Mr. Buah cited successful examples of green mining in Ghana, noting that companies such as Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields had demonstrated world-class standards in carbon reduction, land rehabilitation, water management and biodiversity protection.
He urged the media to deepen their technical understanding of the mining sector and uphold ethics, accuracy and accountability in their reporting.
Mr Tong Defa, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, encouraged journalists to be fair and comprehensive in their coverage of mining activities involving Chinese nationals and companies.
While acknowledging that “a tiny part of Chinese” engaged in illegal mining, he said the actions of a few should not overshadow the positive contributions of the many.
“There are hundreds of Chinese companies contributing to economic development and supporting local communities, yet their responsible practices are seldom covered,” he said.
He appealed to the media “to give the Ghanaian people a full picture and help nurture the good friendship between our two countries.”
Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, said the extractive sector presented both opportunities and challenges, making balanced reporting essential.
“As journalists, we stand at the intersection of economic gain and environmental responsibility,” he said, adding: “When we tell these stories well, we foster accountability and contribute to sustainable national development.”
GNA
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