Residents of Prestea in the Western Region are apprehensive over the reopening of an underground mine that has been shut down for over a decade.
This they say is due to several unfulfilled promises made to them by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
President John Dramani Mahama raised the hopes of the people when he cut the sod to open the mine in 2013. However, operation was halted resulting in over 1,000 workers who were sent home.
This dashed away the hopes of the people especially those who hoped to work out their livelihood from the mine, Luv FM’s Kwaku Owusu Peprah reported.
It was unfortunate things didn’t go well so the mine was shut down. It was a big blow and we have stayed home for some years now,” one resident told Joy News. "The many promises made in the past never materialized," he added.
Chief Executive of the Mines Commission, Dr Tony Obeng, has explained the mine stopped operating because of the setbacks experienced in the gold market.
“At a point in time, the gold price began to dip. It actually went down, but we have seen an upward move of the gold price and we have seen the drive to reduce cost at the mine,” he said.
It has now been proven profitable so the operation will start in earnest, he added.
On his part, Community Relations Officer at the Prestea Bogoso Mines, Robert Gyamfi says the complaints of residents are genuine and they are committed to operating the mine.
“I think I share the community sentiment. We wouldn’t want to do that. We at the company want the mines. It is not just about opening the mine but it is about having a profitable mine,” he said.
Source: GhanaWeb
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