...in the next 15-20 years
Obuasi, Aug 12, GNA- Mr Yiadom Boakye Amponsah, General Manager in charge of Human Resource of AngloGold Ashanti, on Thursday projected that the company's mine at Obuasi will produce at least nine million ounces of gold in the next 15 to 20 years.

He said the mine had yielded 28 million ounces of gold in the past 10 years due to the application of modern technology. Mr Amponsah was briefing a delegation from the Central-Northern Region of Burkina Faso who visited the mine at Obuasi to acquaint itself with operations the company.

The 30-member delegation led by Madam Fatimata Legma, is in the Ashanti region to seek cooperation and partnership with the various sectors of the economy including education and sports.

Mr Amponsah said AngloGold Ashanti had acquired three main treatment plants for the processing of its end product and operated deep safety mine.

He also stated that the company had fulfilled its social responsibilities but its workforce of 8,300 in 2000 had been reduced to 5,000 due to the use of advanced technology.

Mr Amponsah said efforts were being made to reduce hot temperature within the tunnels of the mine, which was causing a lot of problems for the underground workers.

Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, who accompanied the delegation, told the visitors that other mining companies operated in the region along side AngloGold Ashanti.

He expressed the hope that members of the delegation would educate the authorities of their country on their experiences when the return home, saying the visit would strengthen the relationship between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Madam Legma expressed satisfaction that the company opened its doors to the delegation but said Burkina Faso did not have much gold deposits and that the little it had was located in the Central-Northern part of the country.

She appealed to AngloGold Ashanti to improve the security of workers to facilitate its operations towards increased productivity.