Armah-Kofi Buah urges Ghanaian mining firms to adopt Zijin’s environmental model

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has urged Ghanaian mining firms to adopt environmentally responsible practices, citing the Zijin Mining Group’s methodology as a model. According to Minister Armah-Kofi Buah, mining companies must integrate the construction and maintenance of road networks, protection of water bodies, environmental conservation, and the reclamation of mined-out land into their operations.

During his visit to the Zijinshan Open-pit Gold and Copper Mine in Longyan, Fujian Province, China, the Minister observed Zijin's approach to combining mining with ecological restoration and tourism. Zijin combines mining with environmental restoration and showcases a botanical garden, tea garden, fruit garden, and ecological farm on reclaimed mining land.

The company's practices demonstrate that mining can coexist with the restoration of biodiversity and the development of eco-tourism. Emphasizing the importance of the Zijin model, Minister Armah-Kofi Buah called on Ghanaian mining companies to incorporate environmental protection into every stage of their operations, particularly in areas like road infrastructure and water body protection.

The Zijin approach integrates geological exploration, mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, and environmental protection, aiming to maximize mineral recovery while restoring mined-out land. Through its reclamation efforts, Zijin has transformed previously mined land into a green space featuring a botanical garden, which supports local flora and contributes to ecological value.

Ghanaian mining companies are encouraged to learn from Zijin's model to protect the country's natural resources while promoting sustainable development.