The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining, Mr George Mireku Duker, has admonished mining companies in the country to engage technical hands to ensure success in their mining operations.
In an interview with the press after a tour of Gold Team Mining Company on Wednesday, he maintained that the recruitment of personnel with the right technical knowledge and experience was integral to the success of mining companies.
The Deputy Minister made the statements after observing some shortfalls in the company’s operational capabilities.
Key among the observations was the apparent absence of a security and safety plan, power supply issues, ore recovery pitfalls and apparent lack of Ghanaian representation in the company’s management team.
To address these challenges, Mr Duker implored the management of the company to recruit a security person of high repute to create an effective and enforceable plan for the protection of the company and its resources.
On the issue of ore discovery, he believed the technical expertise abound in the country to help address the problem.
He also advised the company to exchange information and knowledge with fellow companies and industry players on how they surmounted similar challenges which once crippled their operations.
Mr Duker noted that the Ministry, through the Minerals Commission, would make available engineers and experts to offer quintessential and technical guidance to the company.
“We have spotted a few things that internally we will discuss with them and find ways of helping them. The Minerals Commission also has engineers who can help them, so we engage more,” he said.
Overall, the Deputy Minister was impressed with the company’s commitment to protecting the environment and adhering to the license principles that make their operations legitimate.
He was happy to have found that the company has over 300 Ghanaians in its book and commended it for the harmonious relationship between it and the communities in its catchment area.
He believed that with little technical assistance and personnel intervention, the company would witness a huge rise in their productivity.
The Managing Director of Golden Team Mining Company, Mr Michael Lee, outlined some major corporate social responsibility initiatives that the company had embarked on and assured of their commitment to delivering more.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
