Dominica and Ghana Address Mining Concerns Amid New Developments

Dominica's Tourism Minister, Hon. Denise Charles-Pemberton, has clarified that no copper mining is occurring or planned, addressing public concerns regarding a proposed basalt quarry for the new international airport runway.

She confirmed that authorities are enforcing regulations and that any quarry development will adhere to environmental protections. In Ghana, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) has called for the immediate publication of the assessment report linked to the Damang mining lease approved for Engineers and Planners Limited, citing concerns over the speed of the approval process.

Patrick Stephenson of NRGI highlighted the need for transparency in Ghana's extractive sector, arguing that lack of public access to evaluation reports creates a 'black box' scenario in decision-making. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, confirmed that Engineers and Planners emerged as the most capable bidder to extend operations at the Damang Mine, meeting rigorous financial criteria and demonstrating technical expertise.