Geological Survey Department to explore mineral deposits in Eastern Region

Begoro(ER), April 11, GNA- The Geological Survey Department (GSD) will undertake mineral exploration in the Eastern Region as part of government's plan to make Ghana more competitive in the global mining industry. Ghana's mining sector, according to data available at the Minerals Commission, currently employs some 36,000 people in the large scale sub-sector, and more than 300,000 in the small scale sector.

Mr Jerry Ahadzie, a Senior Planning and Policy Officer at the Minerals Commission, said these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Begoro in the Fanteakwa District. He said Ghana's competitive edge in the global mining industry could not be sustained if new deposits were not found. Mr Ahadzie said "Minerals like gold are depletable resources and unless new deposits are found, we cannot sustain the industry." He said the GSD project, which would involve airborne geophysical surveys at the Atiwa Range, the Kwahu Mountain and the Fanteakwa hills. Mr John Agyei Doudo, Director of GSD, urged the chiefs of the Fanteakwa area to support the GSD project.

Concerning the likely social and environmental impact on the landscape of the project area, Mr Doudo assured the people that little or no impact would be caused on the environment. Dr John Acquah Asabir, a Member of the programme management unit of the Mining Sector support Programme, told the GNA that that the project, if successful, would lead to a revamping of Ghana's mining sector. The consortium of French, South Africa and Ghanaian geologists would undertake mapping for traditional minerals such as gold and bauxite, possible limestone deposits.