Ghana's diamonds not banned

Kumasi, Dec. 10, GNA - Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines has stated that the country's diamond exports have not been banned on the international market yet as was being peddled in some sections of the media.

He has therefore advised people involved in the production and sale of the mineral as well as members of the communities where diamonds are mined in the country not to panic as a result of the rumour which was circulating in the area.

Professor Fobih, however, said the country had only three months to put its house in order to ensure the strict compliance with the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.

The Minister was speaking at the 2006 National Mine Safety Day and First Aid competition held at Awaso in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai district of the Western region on Saturday.

The day, which was under the theme: 'Safety for all', was organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Mines Inspectorate Division to create awareness on safety among mine workers and host communities. Professor Fobih gave an assurance that, the government had taken proactive measures to ensure the country's strict compliance with the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.

Among the measures was the inauguration of the Kimberly Process Certification Oversight Committee to monitor production figures and sales levels of diamonds in the country.

An action plan had also been put in place to ensure that diamond production and sales were strictly monitored right from the mine through local sales and export in order to ensure that no diamond of non-Ghana origin were exported through the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme. Professor Fobih said the government was also seeking technical assistance from the US to be able to identify diamonds produced in the country from others.

All these measures, the Minister said were to ensure that Ghana's diamond exports were not banned on the international market. Professor Fobih acknowledged the negative effect of the current power rationing exercise on industry and the mining sector in particular and said the government had resolved to find a long lasting solution to the problem.

The Minister said health and safety, both at the workplace and in the community, were key ingredients to increasing productivity in the extractive industry and commended the Chamber and various mining companies for taken measures to promote strict adherence to the use of safety gears and gadgets and also observing other safety measures by both workers and visitors to mine sites.

Professor Fobih also congratulated mining companies for taking proactive safety measures to reduce cyanide spillage in their areas of operations.

Mr Sulemanu Koney, Director, Analysis Research and Finance of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said as a short term measure, member companies of the Chamber have paid for the cost of transporting the VRA rotor back to Ghana from the UK after its repair in that country.

The Chamber was also working closely with the VRA to acquire a 100 megawatts barge to complement the national electricity power generation capacity.

Mr Koney pointed out that, as the mining industry was growing, there was the need for the requisite infrastructure to support the companies to expand and said the supply of cost effective electric power and diesel, needed to be expanded to meet the needs of the industry. Mr Tremblax Yvan, Managing Director of the Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) said safety was very important in the mining industry in order to maximise value.
He said periodic Managers Safety Visits to work areas, which had been adopted by the company over the years had proved successful and helped in identifying corrective measures in addressing safety issues on the shop floor.
Mr Yvan said the GBC was the first mining company in Ghana to achieve OHSAS 18001 certification, while its injury rate had remained zero since 2004.
AngloGold Ashanti Bibiani, was adjudged the best mine with zero injury rate for 2006, while Bogoso Mine was adjudged the best Improved Safety Mine for 2006.
In the competition itself, AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine won the first position followed by Bogoso Prestea Golden Star Resources, while the Aboso goldfields and GBC Awaso placed third and forth positions respectively, in the oral and practical safety tests. They received certificates and gifts. 10 Dec. 06