Nsuta-Wassaw, (W/R) Oct.5 GNA- Ms Joyce Aryee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has announced a steady increase of investments in the mining sector.

She said improvement in the price of gold had motivated bulk mineral producers to increase their output to stay in business. Ms Aryee was speaking at the 2004 Zone One Mines Safety Day and First Aid Competition at the Ghana National Manganese Company Limited (GNMC) at Nsuta-Wassaw near Tarkwa in the Western Region. The event was a collaborative effort between the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Mines Department.

She expressed the hope that the mining companies would not compromise on safety measures as they endeavour to increase productivity, explaining that most of the mine- related accidents recorded recently were preventable.

Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Regional Minister, expressed dissatisfaction that most employers play down the importance of First Aid.

He said the condition of victims of fatal accidents was often worsened due to the lack of basic knowledge of First Aid and tasked the media to generate public interest on the issue. The Ghana National Manganese Company Limited placed first in the competition with 87.3 points followed by the Damang Mine of Aboso Gold Limited with 87 points.

Iduapriem Mine of AshantiGold occupied the third position with 78.5 points, Tarkwa Mine of Goldfields Ghana Limited placed fourth with 77.8 points while Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) placed fifth with 71.3 points.