The Omanhene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso IV, has admonished the Zi Jin Mining Company, current owners of the Newmont Akyem mine, to make land reclamation its priority to ensure mined-out areas can be reused for agricultural and other economic ventures.
He also advised the company to ensure they engaged in responsible mining to avoid being in conflict with the laws of the land.
Oseadeeyo Frimpong Manso made the call when officials of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) held an emergency meeting with him and his divisional chiefs and the management of Zi Jin at the royal palace at Oda last Thursday.
The omanhene advised the mining company to employ the youth from the Akyem Kotoku area as its contribution to reduce the unemployment problem in the traditional area.
He stressed that the state would always protect the rights and interests of Zi Jin provided they complied with the laws of the land and the demands of the traditional area.
Oseadieyo Dr Frimpong Manso further enjoined the company to deal directly with him as the omanhene and not through intermediary chiefs.
The Deputy Director of the EPA, Harrison Afful, emphasised that the authority would guide Zi Jin to operate responsibly at all times as it did to Newmont Akyem.
He also promised to ensure that Zi Jin reclaimed all mined-out lands in its operational areas.
The Eastern Regional Operational Officer of the EPA, Samuel Abanga, gave the assurance that the authority would continue to be transparent in the discharge of its official duties and also abide by the rules of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area.
The Senior Manager of Zi Jin in charge of Sustainability and External Relations, Derek Boateng, pledged cooperation with the traditional authorities for mutual growth.
