Chamber of Mines to assist VRA

Sekondi, Sept 13, GNA - The Ghana Chamber of Mines has proposed to assist the Volta River Authority (VRA) to purchase an emergency power generation plant to boost electricity supply.

Additionally the chamber is ready to help in accelerating the commissioning of the Osagyefo Power Barge.

Mr Jurgen Eijgendaal, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said this when a three-member delegation from the chamber paid a courtesy call on Mr. Anthony E. Amoah, Western Regional Minister, on Wednesday. Mr Richard Gray, the First Vice President and Miss Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber, were the others.

Mr. Eijgendaal said the chamber would work closely with the VRA to identify and expand opportunities in the supply of electricity. He said the chamber had cut electricity consumption by 50 per cent and this had dire consequences for industries.

Mr. Eijgendaal proposed that the proceeds of the Minerals Development Fund (MGF) should be used to promote legal small-scale mining. He said the activities of illegal miners known as on concessions of mining companies could have adverse effects on the country's investment drive.

Mr. Eijgendaal told newsmen that some workers could in the future be laid-off if the power situation did not improve while a few others who had not gone on their annual leave are being asked to begin their leave.

He said mining companies had initiated several alternative livelihood programmes to assist the mining communities resettle and find alternative sources of income.

Ms Aryee presented a cheque for 50 million cedis as the chamber's contribution to this year's Nurses Awards Day celebration. Mr Amoah thanked the chamber for the donation and called on them to revise their alternative livelihood projects.

He said most of the alternative livelihood projects being undertaken were short term and could not last the community after the mine life is over.

Mr. Amoah said the region would soon introduce a blueprint for the development of the various districts. He said Tarkwa, for instance, was an eyesore and did not depict the presence of mineral resources.

Mr Amoah said the government was working out a comprehensive plan to revamp the railway sector to boost economic activity in the country. Mr. Amoah said Regional Coordinating Council would soon license illegal gold miners to operate as small-scale miners.