By P.K. Yankey
Ampain (W/R), Aug. 22, GNA-The zone two Inter-Mines First Aid Safety Competition has ended at Ampain in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, with a call on mining companies to prioritise safety to reduce accidents and occupational hazards.
The competition featured ADAMUS Resources Ltd, the host institution, Aboso Goldfields Limited; Newmont Ahafo North Mines Ltd, ZIJIN Golden Ridge Limited and Golden Star Wassa Mines who showcased various scenarios of casualties involved in accidents and hazards.
The event which was under the auspices of ADAMUS Resources Limited and St. John’s Ambulance Services, was on the theme: “Every Moment is an Ambush: Think Safety at All Times.”
At the end of the contest, Aboso Goldfields was adjudged the winner, ZIJIN Golden Ridge came second, with Golden Star Wassa Mines placing third.
ADAMUS Resources Ltd placed fourth, and Newmont Ahafo North Mines came fifth.
All the five mining companies took home appliances such as flat screen smart television sets, and deep freezers as their prizes.
Madam Angela List, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nguvu Mines and Adamus Resources Limited, during the event, said the competition was a testament to health, safety and well-being of people in the mining industry and should teach all miners how to prevent accidents and save lives.
She said her outfit had embarked on an aggressive exploration campaign by investing millions of dollars, saying; “mining without exploration is a mine without future.”
Madam List indicated that management remained steadfast in prioritising long-term sustainability with a capacity to meet every daily request of their host communities.
“More than 60% of our workforce hail from our host communities with scholarships impacting the lives of over 400 brilliant students from operational areas,” Madam List added.
She noted that as part of their women’s empowerment programme, about 87 women from Teleku-Bokazo had been trained in income -generating ventures and supported with start-up tools in liquid soap making to supply ADAMUS Resources Limited for its cleaning services.
Mr. Kwadwo Opoku Ansah, General Manager of ADAMUS Resources Ltd, said mining remained one of the most hazardous professions and that workers must always remain alert to the risk involved, saying; “Safety must not be taken for granted irrespective of status at the Mine.”
He said: “We must ensure that the competition is not ceremonial alone but transformational to reflect on the lives we can save with vigilance, preparedness and a shared commitment to safety.”
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chairman of Ghana National Chamber of Mines, urged industry players to renew their commitment to safety of mining environment where every worker returned home safely.
He used the occasion to implore traditional rulers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, and other stakeholders to deal ruthlessly with illegal mining activities to help safeguard the environment.
Awulae Attibrukusu III, Paramount Chief of the Lower Axim Traditional Area, who chaired the event, stressed the importance of the competition, and said it would yield dividends in operational outcome of the mining companies and their workforce.
GNA
Edited By Justina Paaga/Benjamin Mensah