Mrs. Cecilia Bannerman
Minister of Mines
P.O. Box T40
Accra, Ghana

RE: Gold mining moratorium needed

Dear Mrs. Bannerman,

I congratulate your government for ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity and establishing protected areas. And I strongly support a coalition of 12 Ghanaian organizations that oppose gold mining in forest reserves and is working with villagers on a variety of projects for sustainable economic development as an alternative to mining.

There has been a very troubling pattern of abuse by mining companies in Ghana that includes burning villages, illegal detention, rape, intimidation and dog attacks on villagers. Modern gold mining creates tailings and waste water laced with heavy metals and toxic chemicals like cyanide and arsenic. In recent years, disastrous cyanide spills have killed all life in several of Ghana's river systems and marshlands, contaminating drinking water and agricultural lands for thousands of villagers. Scientists fear the cyanide and heavy metal residue could pose a threat to the people and wildlife in these areas for decades to come.

Decades of deforestation and forest degradation have left less than two percent of your nation's native tree cover intact. These remaining savanna and moist tropical forests are recognized as globally significant for their biological diversity, including over 700 types of tropical trees. The forests provide critical habitat for many endangered species including 34 endangered plant species, 13 mammals, 23 butterflies and 8 birds. Many forest animals need large contiguous areas of habitat to maintain a viable breeding population.

I urge you to maintain Ghana's laws that prohibit mining in forest reserves in order to protect globally significant biological diversity, conserve freshwater resources, and prevent toxic contamination of water and agricultural lands. Please institute an immediate moratorium on new gold mining and open a national discussion on the issue of mining in the forest reserves. Ghanaian citizens and NGOs should participate in a decision that affects the country's greatest natural resource and the welfare of future generations.

EAN Alerts Email List | Tell a Friend | Links | Contact | Site Map