President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned Ghana’s largest single gold stream mine in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
The Project, undertaken by the Cardinal Namdini Gold Limited (CNML), a subsidiary of Shandong Gold Limited, a Chinese mining firm, is an open-cast (surface) gold mine and has an initial lifespan of 15 years.
The area is a green field – the first in Ghana, since Newmont Akyem Company poured its first gold from a green field a 2013.
It is the first project one of its kind in Ghana and the largest single gold mine in the West African Sub region.
The Mine is expected to generate about 150 million tonnes of ore, resulting in five million ounces of gold within the period.
Shandong Gold is one of the top 10 leading producers of gold globally, employing high level best practices and ecologically friendly technologies in mining.
Its mine in Ghana in the Talensi District is the first in Africa.
Speaking at the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo, said the start of the project, which signified the first pouring of the Company’s first gold was a historic milestone, which marked a new era in the mining history of the country and strengthened the relationship between China and Ghana.
He explained that although Ghana had been associated with gold mining for many years, literature and conventional teachings had made the people to believe that gold was only found in Southern Ghana.
“This mine we commission today, is evidence of the power of exploration as the lifeblood of the mining industry,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“For years, this area, and several other areas within this northern belt of our country, have only been known for small scale mining. Large scale mining firms have concentrated on the south, largely influenced by the literature that links gold only to the south of our nation.
“It is investment in exploration, that led to the construction of this mine, which we are told today, will become the third largest mine in the country, and one of the largest single stream gold mines in West African.”
President Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of government to tapping the country’s mineral resources for the development of the country and the local economies, adding that government had over the years resourced the responsible state institutions such as the Ghana Geological Service, to undertake more exploration to identify more mineable lands, and block out more lands for small scale mining.
“What we see here today, is evident of the conducive environment we have created for businesses to thrive. It is a reflection of the progressive mining policies we have been implementing since 2017, which has led to the revival of the dormant Obuasi and Bibiani Mines, the expansion of several mines, and the construction of new mines across the country,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his belief that the Mine would open up the country, particularly, the Talensi area, and the Upper East Region, for investment and accelerated growth.
This would offer a bright future of job opportunities, local infrastructure, utilities and community facilities that “stimulates local and national development that would benefit generation yet unborn”.
President Akufo-Addo, therefore, cautioned the CNML to employ best mining practices, and adhere to the all environmental and other regulatory standards, for a safe and sustainable mining operation.
“It is, also, important to work closely with the chiefs and people of this area and deliver on your corporate social responsibility commitments. It cannot be right for you to post millions of dollars of profit, while the owners of the lands that give you these resources suffer, ” the President warned.
Mr Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said Northen Ghana was becoming the hub of gold deposits.
That, he explained, informed the government’s decision to open new regional and district offices in Tamale, Bolgatanga, Wa and Bole to regulate the activities of mining companies and ensure environmental sustainability.
Mr Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, said the project further solidified the longstanding relationship between China and Ghana and reiterated the commitment of the government of China to continue to work closely with government for sustainable development.
Mr Han Yaodong, Chief Executive Officer, Shandong Gold Group, said the company was known for its environmentally friendly mining practices globally and would not relent to adhere to the Ghana’s laws governing the environment.
Mr Tang Zhenjiang, Chairman and CEO of Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, said local content was being prioritised in their operations and assured the residents of more employment opportunities for the youth.
The state-owned Shandong Gold Group, one of the largest gold producers in China, is a member of the World Gold Council – the market development organisation for the gold industry.
The company, headquarted in the Shandong Province, is actively committed to best ecological mining, safety, and humanistic standards.
GNA