By Kofi Ahovi
A recent air-borne survey conducted over the Volta and Keta Basins and other areas including Nkwanta, Hohoe, Akwatia and Konongo have shown a good potential for discovery of new resources in gold and base metals such as iron, nickel and chrome.
The survey conducted by Fugro Airbone Surveys Limited, an international organization which specializes in low-level airborne geophysical and remote sensing surveys, is under the Mining Sector Support Programme (MSSP) sponsored by the European Commission and government of Ghana.
According to the survey, the satellite imagery acquired and interpreted through the Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) system provides a framework for future geological mapping.
The objectives of the survey was to enhance the processing and interpretation skills of the Geological Survey Department(GSD) geophysicists, test hypothetical possibilities of the occurrence of sediment-hosted base metal mineralization and diamondiferous kimberlites as well as provide a geological framework to perform future geological mapping for mineral exploration and ground water resources.
Geological mapping on the Volta and Keta Basins were also undertaken to prospect for new gold deposits to replenish depleting resources as well as report hydro-geological features to produce a comprehensive geological document.
The geological mapping project covers six priority areas namely three areas near Wa and Bole in the Birimian formation, one area North West of Tarkwa in the Birimian formation, one area North East of Tamale in the Voltaian Formation and one area near Nkwanta in the Togo/Buem Formation.
So far the European Commission has provided about 40 million Euros to enhance the sustainability of the mining industry under the mining sector support programme.
The objectives of MSSP include sustaining the country’s mining sector economic performance, alleviate poverty by increasing employment, mitigate the mines’ negative environmental impacts, increase export revenue from mining as well as promote the diversification of minerals produced.
The Financing Agreement for MSSP between the Republic of Ghana and the European Commission was signed in December 2002, within the framework of the Lomé IV Convention and the 8th European Development Fund.
The main areas of focus are institutional strengthening to fulfill the facilitating and regulatory roles of mining sector support institutions, the construction of a modern geological infrastructure (maps, databases) including the geological mapping of virgin areas and airborne geophysics over the Volta and Keta Basins, mitigation of the negative impact of mining activities on the local communities, and feasibility studies to upgrade the western corridor mining supportive infrastructure.
A recent air-borne survey conducted over the Volta and Keta Basins and other areas including Nkwanta, Hohoe, Akwatia and Konongo have shown a good potential for discovery of new resources in gold and base metals such as iron, nickel and chrome.
The survey conducted by Fugro Airbone Surveys Limited, an international organization which specializes in low-level airborne geophysical and remote sensing surveys, is under the Mining Sector Support Programme (MSSP) sponsored by the European Commission and government of Ghana.
According to the survey, the satellite imagery acquired and interpreted through the Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) system provides a framework for future geological mapping.
The objectives of the survey was to enhance the processing and interpretation skills of the Geological Survey Department(GSD) geophysicists, test hypothetical possibilities of the occurrence of sediment-hosted base metal mineralization and diamondiferous kimberlites as well as provide a geological framework to perform future geological mapping for mineral exploration and ground water resources.
Geological mapping on the Volta and Keta Basins were also undertaken to prospect for new gold deposits to replenish depleting resources as well as report hydro-geological features to produce a comprehensive geological document.
The geological mapping project covers six priority areas namely three areas near Wa and Bole in the Birimian formation, one area North West of Tarkwa in the Birimian formation, one area North East of Tamale in the Voltaian Formation and one area near Nkwanta in the Togo/Buem Formation.
So far the European Commission has provided about 40 million Euros to enhance the sustainability of the mining industry under the mining sector support programme.
The objectives of MSSP include sustaining the country’s mining sector economic performance, alleviate poverty by increasing employment, mitigate the mines’ negative environmental impacts, increase export revenue from mining as well as promote the diversification of minerals produced.
The Financing Agreement for MSSP between the Republic of Ghana and the European Commission was signed in December 2002, within the framework of the Lomé IV Convention and the 8th European Development Fund.
The main areas of focus are institutional strengthening to fulfill the facilitating and regulatory roles of mining sector support institutions, the construction of a modern geological infrastructure (maps, databases) including the geological mapping of virgin areas and airborne geophysics over the Volta and Keta Basins, mitigation of the negative impact of mining activities on the local communities, and feasibility studies to upgrade the western corridor mining supportive infrastructure.
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