Bogoso (W/R) Aug. 14,- GNA- Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) has spent $20 million dollars on the Prestea underground Mine since 2001.

This shows the seriousness and the commitment of BGL to re-open the underground Mine at Prestea.

Mr. Neil Ringdahl - Mining Manager, BGL said these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency here at the week-end. He said 1.6 million ounces of gold have been identified underground.

The Mining Manager said hopefully, mining would start next month but would hoist ore through the Bondaye shaft because repair works are ongoing at the central shaft and also to prevent interferences at the exploration going on there.

He mentioned one stumbling block as the activities of the Galamsey operators, saying, that is threatening the underground workings. He said flooding has increased, owing to Galamsey activities adding there was a major one in 2004.

Right now, he said the mine is pumping 1.4 million gallons of water daily at Bondaye shaft to make the place safe for underground operation because, safety is one thing the Mine does not toy with. Touching on Pampe project, the Mining Manager said, in its quest to increase the Oxide supply to the Mine, Pampe concession was acquired for that purpose.

He said, so far $10 million dollars has been committed for the project.

The money, he said, would be used in paying compensation, construction of offices, and acquisition of office equipment and building of haul road.

He said full operation would start when the Environmental Impact Assessment has been cleared by Environmental Protection Agency, adding that, responsible mining is the hallmark of BGL.

The mining Manager debunked the perception that Golden Star Resources (GRS) is an expatriate Company, saying GRS is Ghanaian centred because it has a lot of investments in Ghana.