No coronavirus cases at Prestea, Bogoso - Golden Star Resources

Mining firm, Golden Star Resources has taken a proactive response to the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus and has quickly implemented a range of procedures to support its primary objective of protecting the health and wellbeing of its employees and host communities.

As of March 29, 2020, there were no known cases of COVID-19 amongst its workforce in Ghana, the UK or Canada, or in its Ghanaian host communities, the company said in a statement.

In recognition of the rising potential threat of imported cases, Golden Star said it proactively stopped all international inbound travel to Ghana from March 12, 2020.

The Government of Ghana subsequently closed its international borders with the exception of returning citizens and residents.

Since March 12, 2020, Golden Star Resources said it has mandated returning employees, who are citizens or residents, to undertake a 14-day period of self-quarantining.

Golden Star applauded the Government of Ghana for enabling a continuation of mining operations at this time.

“This provides the Company with the flexibility to enable movement of personnel and cargo so that the Wassa and Prestea gold mines are able to continue operations. The Company's guidance for 2020, therefore, remains unchanged.

“The Company is working with other companies and industry bodies in support of the Government of Ghana's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this effort and through the Chamber of Mines, we and our peers in the country have offered to contribute in helping to scale up the designated testing laboratories for COVID-19”, it stated.

Golden Star Resources operate the Prestea and Bogoso mines in the Western region.