Odumase (Ash), Jan. 28, GNA - The Management of Owere Mines Company Limited (OMCL), a gold mining company in the Asante-Akim North Municipali= ty, has raised concern about the siege of its concession by illegal small-sca= le miners (Galamsey). Mr Roger Banister, Project Manager of the company has therefore appealed to chiefs in the area for support to curb the illegal mining activities, which he said had become a major threat to the mines. He expressed the sentiments when he paid a courtesy call on the Odumasehene, Nana Kofi Antwi at Odumase as the company makes frantic preparations to begin business. At the meeting, Mr Banister said OMCL had agreed to cede part of the=

concession to the galamsey operators, six months into full scale operatio= n and wondered why the deal was not being respected. He re-affirmed the company's total commitment to the agreement and asked the illegal miners to do the same to ensure peaceful co-existence. The project manager said in line with its employment policy, majorit= y of the people in the area would be engaged and pledged that the company would live up to its social responsibilities. Nana Antwi said he would take up the matter with the Municipal Chief=

Executive and the Divisional Police Commander to find lasting solution to=

the problem. He commended the company for donating GH¢10,000 towards the construction of a new police station. 28 Jan. 10