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| The whole of this mountain is iron ore |
The extractive sector particularly gold, iron ore,
limestones, diamond mining among others, could be an important source of
development for Northern Ghana. In spite of its potential to turn over huge
revenue for development and job creation, mining communities continue to suffer
from serious environmental cost associated with mineral extraction.
The wanton
destruction of the environment, air and water pollution among others by mining
companies has been a matter of concern to many right thinking citizens of this
country in recent times culminating in the formation of an interministerial
taskforce to deal with the situation.
While it has
been reported over the years that the activities of some mining companies were
having negative effects on the environment, the rate of destruction of such
activities seemed to be on the ascendancy.
In view of this
development, it is important for individuals, groups and organizations with
interest in environmental management and sustainability to play an active role in
helping stakeholders to ensure that Ghana’s environments were safe even as her
mineral resources were exploited.
Against this background,
the Media Advocates for Sustainable Environment (MASE) in partnership with the
Rural Media Network (RUMENT) has taken steps to monitor mining activities at
Sheini in the Tatale District of the Northern Region to ensure environmental
sustainability and to prevent further depletion of the country’s ecological
system.
Thus, one
important issue currently being monitored by MASE is the Sheini iron ore that was discovered in the 1960s and drilling and exploration
conducted between 1961 and 1965 by Soviet Geologists covering a very large area
of the eastern part of the Northern Region.
That exploration
test confirmed that, the Sheini iron ore deposit was the largest, finest and in
commercial quantity in the whole of Africa. Other geological surveys had shown
that Sheini ironstones react extremely well to a magnetizing reduction roast
process, which reduces iron in the form of hematite (Fe2O3) to magnetite
(Fe3O4) and ultimately to metallic iron (Feo) and that its quality was
uncomparable while its quantity could be extracted continuouly for 100 years.
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| National Coordinator, MASE Npong Francis |
At a press briefing
in Tamale, MASE disclosed that information received from sources within Ghana’s
Minerals Commission indicated, that the Sheini Iorn Concession had been given
out to a joint-venture company through a process that was concealed because
there was no wide consultation.
According to the
group, it appeared therefore, that the government had given out the only
northern strategic asset without the full involvement of chiefs, communities
and stakeholders whose livelihoods would directly or indirectly be affected.
“This is a cause
for concern realizing the impact of mining on the environment. The failure by
the government to let communities, and the general public know, understand and
exercise their democratic rights including their right to “free prior informed
consent”, compensations and resettlement if any, and the right to prevent
conflict arising from the development of the concession are disturbing”, MASE
Spokesperson Npong Balikawu lamented.
MASE called on
the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission and the Ministry
of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to tell the people of the Northern
Region whether the Sheini Iron Ore deposit had been given out as a concession
to a company or not.
It also wanted
to know the name of the company, who the managers were and how the selection
process was done, stressing “We also want to know what arrangements have been
made in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mitigate
any environmental degradation that may occur”.
MASE hinted that
a time bomb was waiting to explode in the area if issues relating to Sheini
iron ore were not handled transparently and in consultation with the various stakeholders.
The Media
Advocates for Sustainable Environment is a network of environmental journalists
formed in 2009 under the auspices of the Rural Media Network and the KASA environmental governance
project. The core membership of MASE are environmental reporters and advocates.
MASE members
work to promote best environmental practices for development and also educate
people on best sanitation and agricultural practices and climate change issues.
