Thumps Up for Solar Mining Coy

Assembly members from eight out of nine communities in East Akyem in the Eastern region have declared their support for Solar Mining Company to start mining gold from their concession due to its high social responsibility since they started building their plants.

The communities are Juaso, Osino, Bunso, Nsutam, Asiakwa, Pusupusu, Abompe and Dwenase.

In a resolution passed on April 15, 2011, Assembly members of the above communities said they had declared their support for the company after a series of meeting with the management and the entire community.

According to them, allowing the company to mine gold in the area will rather bring development to them than a curse.

They explained that after a careful study of the company's proposals for the various communities they came to the realisation that their communities would benefit socially and economically from the company's operation.

They added that they were impressed enthused about the fact that Solar Mining Company and Kibi Goldfields had joined hands to secure all the legal documents to establish one of the biggest gold refinery plants in Saaman in the Fanteakwa District and this will enhance economic activities in all the nine communities.

The company solely owned by a Ghanaian, Mr. S.O. Lamptey, since coming to the district has made its efforts to develop the communities even though actual mining business has not started yet.

“Kibi Goldfields Limited's mining project has been idle for over twenty-five (25) years now and a series of efforts were made by the owners of the concession to revitalize the project. Foreign investors were invited by the concession owners from advanced mining countries such as Canada and Australia to ensure proper partnership so as to move the mining business of the company but due to degree of impediments, the expatriates with all their expertise and experience could not revamp the mines as expected”, the members said.

“A similar invitation was given to Solar Mining Company Limited (solely owned by Ghanaian) and the result within this short period is evident for all to see,” they added.

Despite the fact that the company has not started operation yet, their commitment to social development and rehabilitation cannot be underestimated in anyway.

The Members said some of the development taken by the company are casting of concrete floor for the Saaman community and 100 bags of cement for their ICT centre and GH¢6,000 towards the renovation of the Saamang Chief's palace.

They listed social developments by the company such as 50kv generator set, Osino health centre, GH¢1,000 each to Osino Presbyterian Secondary/Technical School, Remnant junior High School and D.A. Primary School.

The company has also constructed a mechanized bore hole with overhead tank to Abuakwa State College (Abusco) and not forgetting Abuakwa Presbyterian Training College which has also benefited from the provision of laterite towards the construction of classroom block and many others for the communities.

The statement concluded that to avoid polluting the water body in the communities, Solar Mining Company has dug its own ponds and has plants that circulate the water for its operations.