Govt commended for campaign against galamsey activities

The Project Manager of Cassius Mining Limited, a private mining firm at Gbane in the Upper East Region, Mr Andrew Head, has commended the government and state institutions such as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for evolving strategies to clamp down on illegal mining (galamsey) in the country.

He observed that those strategies were yielding positive results, stressing that it would ultimately help inject sanity into the mining sector and also protect the environment, including water sources, from pollution and further degradation.

Mr Head stated this in an interview with newsmen at Gbane during a clean-up exercise in the community as part of the company's corporate social responsibility programme.

Appreciation

He also praised the media for joining the crusade against galamsey and expressed the hope that the campaign would be sustained.

He equally expressed appreciation to residents of Gbane, saying: “The company and its staff do not feel threatened through the activities of illegal miners or encroachment on its concession.”

The manager announced that his outfit was preparing a comprehensive relocation and compensation document, subject to negotiations and further discussions between the company and the local people.

"We are committed to respecting the rights and interests of the people we work with and integrating them into our discussions regarding their needs, that include the environmental, social and economic impact of our activities," Mr Head  stated.

A director of the company, who is based in Australia, Mr James Arkoudis, stated in a telephone interview that ensuring safety, job security and decent incomes and being environmentally responsible were some of the company’s priorities in the mining sector.

Campaign

The exercise, which was organised by the company, in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the Talensi District Assembly, was also used to raise awareness of the need to ensure environmental cleanliness.

The people patronised the exercise by sweeping around their compounds and also clearing choked gutters.

The Assembly Member for Kpatia-Gbeegu-Kpale, Mr Alex Gberanzong, expressed gratitude to Cassius Mining for the initiative, which he said would ultimately enhance environmental cleanliness in the Gaare-Gbane Electoral Area.

He equally stressed the need for the exercise to be conducted monthly, adding that residents should also be sensitised regularly to the need to avoid open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Some residents, for their part, complained about the lack of basic social amenities such as potable water and roads in the area.

Activities

Cassius Mining Limited is an emerging gold exploration, development and mining company operating in Ghana. Its directors include both Ghanaians and Australians.

In addition to gold exploration and development, the company is also actively sourcing other commercial opportunities in Ghana and other International markets.

At Gbane

The company currently has over 40 workers at Gbane and intends to employ 90 per cent of its staff from the community and the region.

It is at the moment engaged in prospecting for gold on its concession, which covers 13 square kilometres.

Cassius Mining started its drilling activities in May 2017 and intends to go into large-scale gold mining.