Nkroful (W/R), July 2, GNA - Mr. Paul E. Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, has said mistrust between communities and some mining companies was due to lack of employment opportunities and the inability of the people to benefit directly from such companies. He said it was sad that the present arrangement for the distribution of royalties made it difficult for many host communities to see any infrastructural change.

Mr. Aidoo said this when the sod was cut for construction to begin on a resettlement facility for the people of Salman near Nkroful. He appealed to companies to employ indigenes and assist others with agro processing opportunities.

The settlement will accommodate 2,154 people who are presently living within 250 metres of the Salman pit and covers approximately 25 percent of the Nzema Gold project being managed by Adamus Resources Limited. Mr. Steve Yirenkyi, the Resettlement Manager, said facilities to be provided at the new site will include pump fitted bore holes, police station with residential quarters, clinic with nurses' quarters, lorry parks, markets, organized sanitary area with skip dumps, teachers' quarters, a community centre and a chief's palace.

Mr. David McNee, General Manager of Adamus Resources Limited, said the mine has a lifespan of between nine and 10 years. He said the first gold is expected to be produced in the first quarter of next year adding that though the company acquired the Salman, Anwia and Anwai south concessions between 2003 and 2006, it had not been able to begin operations due to the resettlement and other challenges. Mr. McNee said construction at the plant site, purchase of equipments, construction of a processing plant, tailings dam and other infrastructure have all been completed. 02 July 10