Accra, March 18, GNA - Government remains committed to creating the enabling environment for investors to have the maximum returns on their investment, President John Evans Atta Mills said on Thursday. Government, the President said, would also partner progressive firms to ensure that the exploitation of the country's resources was done to the benefit of the people and to raise their standards of living.

President Mills made the comment when a three-man delegation led by Mr Nick Holland, Chief Executive Officer of Goldfields Ghana Limited, paid a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle in Accra. "We have no cause to regret our decision to partner you," President Mills said, adding that Government would give the necessary support to, and collaborate with private firms that would bring the needed improvement in the lives of the people.

He commended the Company for the efforts and facilities it had put in place for sustainable mining.

President Mills wished the company well, and gave the assurance that Government would provide the kind of support that would in the long run improve on the lives of the people.

Mr Holland, for his part, said Goldfields which had been in existence in Ghana for the past 20 years, accounts for about 14 per cent of the total gold produced in the country.

He said the Company had so far invested a total of $1.2 billion in Ghana, and had taken long-term decisions that would leave lasting benefits for the people of Ghana.

Mr Holland said the Company's vision was to become the global leader in sustainable mining and had consequently put in measures for modernity, safety, proper environmental control, development of the people in the communities it operates, as well as providing direct and indirect employment.

He said despite the reasonable performance in the price of gold, the year 2009 was a challenging one and that 2010 would be equally challenging.