Zambian President visits Obuasi mines

Obuasi (Ash), May 13, GNA- The Obuasi mine of the AngloGold Ashanti is expected to produce nine million ounces of gold within the next 15 to 20 years. The mine produced 7.5 million ounces of gold within the last 10 years.

Mr F. Owusu-Mensah, Manager in-charge of Survey and Planning of the Mine, made this known on Friday, when the visiting Zambian President, Mr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa toured the mine as part of his four-day official visit to Ghana.

Mr Mwanawasa, who was accompanied by the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Mines and Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, visited the Sulphite Treatment Plant of the mine which processes 2.6 million tonnes of ore annually. Mr Owusu-Mensah said the Obuasi mine had since its establishment in 1897, produced 28 million ounces of gold.

He said accident frequency at the mine had reduced drastically and the challenge facing the mine now was how to improve on the record. Mr Owusu-Mensah said the company contributed 250 million cedis towards the Obuasi street lighting project and had also constructed 95 water systems in 82 communities at the cost of 980 million dollars in fulfilment of its social responsibility to people in the catchment areas.

Mr Daniel Spies, Managing Director of the Obuasi Mine said Obuasi had good deposits and the introduction of deep mining would help expand the lifespan of production.

President Mwanawasa, expressed appreciation for the willingness of the management of the mines to honour its social responsibilities. He said the people in the area needed a lot of social services that would help improve their living standards. President Mwanawasa called on the mines authorities to pay royalties promptly to the chiefs to enable them undertake development projects in their communities.

Alhaji Mahama also stressed the need for the company to help improve the living standards of the people in their catchment areas. 13 May 05