Chamber of Mines holds Conference

Tarkwa, (W/R) Sept 22, GNA - The Ghana Chamber of Mines has held its first ever technical conference to provide professionals in the industry an opportunity to share information and views on the progress made in the industry at Tarkwa in the Western Region. It was also to discuss challenges facing stakeholders in their quests to enhance productivity in the mining industry in Ghana. Topics treated at the Conference included, strategies for improved mill through integrated equipment condition monitoring system-mine care, the success of electronic detonators in African Mines, Contract versus Owner Mining and Mine scheduling.

Sixty-two participants drawn from some mining companies in the country attended the conference on the theme 'Implementing Technologies that enhance Mine Productivity'.

Addressing the participants, Mr Mike Ezan, President of the Chamber, said the conference was relevant because mining companies were facing increased prices in inputs.

He said while the price of gold had witnessed a corresponding rise, the price of bauxite and manganese had not seen any corresponding increase.

Mr. Ezan said in an industry with limited scope for differentiation, the only viable strategy for survival in an environment of high input prices was to be efficient and reduce cost. "The recent escalation in diesel prices places enormous pressure on the industry to cut operating costs, possibly through enhanced productivity", he added.

He said the Chamber would create a distinct membership category for Small and Medium Scale (SME) indigenous companies to help them grow into world-class companies.

In view of this, Mr Ezan said the Chamber had therefore, decided to share the best practices in mining support services with these local SME to enable them attain these goals. He appealed to the SME's to take advantage of the opportunity and join the Chamber.

Mr Ezan appealed to stakeholders in the industry to patronize locally manufactured inputs that meet the requisite quality standards, competitive prices and suppliers offer related ancillary services including on-time deliveries.

An exhibition was mounted to showcase some of the products and services local entrepreneurs could supply to the mining companies.