GSRL holds Stakeholders meeting

Ada Manso (W/R), Jan 21 GNA Golden Star Resources Limited (GSRL), owners of Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) and Wexford Gold Limited has organized a stakeholders meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest before it starts operation at its mine at Ada Manso, near Wassa Akropong in the Amenfi West District of the Western Region.

In attendance were officials from the Mines Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Land Valuation Board, the Amenfi East District Assembly, chiefs and the media.

The meeting, which was preceded by a two-hour tour of the Pampe Mine concession, discussed a number of issues.

Addressing the stakeholders, Mr Stephen Piedu, Principal Inspector of Mines, urged mining companies to endeavour to forge a good community relationship right from the prospecting stages in order to forestall troubles.

This bond of cordiality, Mr Piedu said must be sustained throughout the lifespan of the mine.

Mr Piedu gave the assurance that due diligence has been done on the Pampe Mine concession by its owners and appealed to the chiefs and the people of Ada Manso to corporate with the management of GSRL to enhance social cohesion and promote accelerated development.

He assured farmers, whose lands have been taken over that compensation would be paid to genuine crop owners and urged those who are cultivating crops as well as planting seedlings overnight in order to attract compensation to stop, since their efforts would not be recognized.

Nana Gyaa Kwaw, chief of Ada Manso, and the Queen mother, Nana Ama Baaso thanked the management of GSRL for their transparency, since deliberation started on the Pampe Mine in 2002. They promised to discuss in detail with their people and expressed the hope that compromise would be reached to enable the company start operating.