The Zijin Mining Company, the mining company which took over from Newmont Akyem two years ago, has been urged to adopt structures that will create sustainable employment opportunities for the people in its catchment area.
The Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV, who made the call, stressed that the measure would go a long way in complementing the government’s efforts at reducing the serious unemployment problem facing the youth in the country and the area in particular.
The omanhene made the call at his palace at Oda last Tuesday when the management of Zijin visited him and members of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Council to discuss matters of mutual interest.
He enjoined the company to endeavour to establish a first-class hospital and university in the traditional area to serve the people.
He also advised the company’s management to recognise the traditional hierarchy and ensure that all communities in its catchment area benefited from social amenities.
Oseadeeyo Frimpong Manso reiterated his call for Zijin to engage in responsible mining at all times and reclaim all mined-out areas to be suitable for agricultural and other economic ventures.
He gave the assurance that the traditional council would always give the company its maximum support and urged it to reciprocate the gesture.
The omanhene was grateful to Zijin for promising to help finance the royal palace complex under construction at Oda.
The Senior Manager of Zijin responsible for Sustainability and External Relations, Derek Boateng, said the company, which took over from Newmont Akyem two years ago, would operate in the Birim North District until 2042.
He revealed that the EPA had granted the company permission to increase its production capacity from 8.5 million tonnes to 13.5 million tonnes.
The other management members of Zijin who attended the meeting were Jason Zhang, the Vice- President, Sustainability and External Relations; Ekow Mintah, the acting General Manager; Joshua Dauda, the Security Manager and Evans Gbediho, the Community Relations Superintendent.
