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West Star Mining Company Limited and Blue River Mining Company Limited are proposing to develop and operate an alluvial gold mine in and around two different concessions in the Nzema East Municipality of the West Region.
The two companies, under the same ownership registered in 1984 and 1985 respectively, own 90% share in the project whilst Government of Ghana holds a statutory free hold of 10%.
West Star Mining lease concessions cover an area of 50 kilometres square but the mining activities will cover approximately total of 16 square kilometres – the reserves are delineated into three separate blocks namely Banso, Subriso and Numera will be mined for 10 years.
Blue river concession covers a total area of 40.4 kilometres square mining – activities will cover a total of 9 square kilometres located in five areas, namely, Chirisie, Elemina, Ampansie, Moaziah and Boduazele, the concession will be mined for 6 years.
At a public hearing on the proposed alluvial gold mining for the two companies at Gwira Eshiem in the Nzema East Municipality, Mr. Bright Affum a consultant for the project and a lecturer at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT)explained that after the companies had acquired the license for 30 years there were some challenged that caused the delay.
These he mentioned are lack of easy accessibility within the project area in the early days, the fall in the world price of gold in the 90’s as well as ailment of the main financiers.
According to him, the construction and operation of the proposed project will generate permanent job directly and indirectly in the area.
“The direct employment will provide new sources of income to a number of individual – additional revenue will be generated in the community by inhabitants who will provide accommodation, food, and other services to the company and its workforce” he said.
Also, he said the companies intend to support farmers with alternative livelihood programmes to augment their sources of income after payment of compensation for cash crops.
He pointed out that economic displacement will therefore be adequately mitigated through the training programmes and provision of seedlings for oil palm, cocoa, maize and vegetable farming.
“We are committed to the provision and sustainable development of alternative livelihood programmes for affected farmers within our operational area” he added.
He said the companies are optimistic to put in place measures that will attract capital and expertise from elsewhere for a successful take-off as soon as practicable.
Mr. Simon Enison, the Managing Director for the two Companies stressed that as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility – we will ensure to provide health facilities and employment opportunity for the people.
“For the indigenes to be employed, those who have skills should upgrade it and those without skills should obtain the necessary skills which will be needed for the project”, he said.
Source:thebftonline.com
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