THE GOVERNMENT has embarked upon air-borne geo- physical surveys of mineral areas in the country to ascertain their viability to be mined.
Currently, areas identified to be with minerals in some parts of the country including Wa in the Northern Region and the Volta basin, are being surveyed for mining purposes.
These were disclosed by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ms. Joyce Aryee to an answer at the networking lunch with the Greater Region Press Corps at the International Press Centre on Tuesday.Ms Aryee noted that this is the time for the government to concentrate seriously on finding other minerals that are abound in the country for its prospecting.
Ms Aryee noted that the country should not only concentrate on gold mining but also, explore the other minerals like silicon, marble stones, among others to aid the economic growth of the country.
She strictly condemned the activities of illegal miners known as galamsey averring that galamsey is bad and should be rightly condemned.
"What we are the Chamber is doing sis that we will encourage these galamsayers to organise themselves into an entity for a small scale mining operatives where the appropriate measures would be taken to ensure their operations."
On the relationship between the Chamber and WACAM, the Chamber Guru said " We have no problem with them but sometimes, we agree to disagree".
In her policy statement, Ms. Aryee said only 4,304 km2 or 13% has been granted to large-scale mines for reconnaissance, prospecting and active mining in the country. Even so, only 2% is under actual large-scale mining operations in the country.
She observed that the mining industry continues to be actively pursuing proactive strategic relationships with its stakeholders with the purpose of creating the right basis addressing key issues relating to the role of mining in national development.
She enumerated the various social responsibilities mining companies are providing in the communities they operate, noting that mining companies in 2005, under their voluntary social contributions, supported the communities in education, health, electricity, housing, resettlement action plans, alternative livelihood projects among others to the tune of ¢28,700,948,600.
The Chief Executive said on statutory contributions by mining companies in 2005, a total of ¢1,732,694,076,646 made up of mineral royalty payments, customs duties, export development levy, dividends to the State during the same period also amounted to ¢5,317,637,392 through the provisions of water, health services, roads, education, agriculture among others.
She revealed that two billion. One hundred and ninety nine billion, nine hundred and ninety nine million cedis was contributed by mining companies in 2005 representing about 48% of total mineral revenue in foreign exchange maws returned to Ghana.
Source : allafrica.com
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