DESK STUDY WORKSHOP FOR SELECTED BLOCKED OUT AREAS

From the 13^th to the 18^th of March 2022, a desk study workshop on selected blocked out areas to inform airborne geophysical survey and geological investigation was organized for representatives from Minerals Commission, Ghana Geological Survey Authority, and the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) at the Eastern Premier Hotel in Koforidua.

As part of the Government’s effort to provide access to mineable lands for Artisanal and Small-scale miners (ASM) and improve the understanding of the national geology and subsoil resources, airborne geo-physics and geological surveys has been identified to support geological investigation of ASM blocked out areas to identify economically viable mineral reserve areas for small-scale mining operations.

Currently, approximately 150 areas totaling 5,400 km² have been identified and designated for ASM, out of which twenty (20) blocked out areas totalling 1671.276km² have been selected for geological investigation as part of initial field visits.

The Director-General of Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae in his introductory remarks, underlined the need of working together in unity and harmony to achieve the workshop's objectives.  

The Minerals Commission's spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Zoogah, stated that the Mincom had provided the data for the 20 blocked out areas for the workshop. He went on to say that the blocked-out areas were located in fourteen (14) districts across the country, including Datoko, Tongo, Kusanaba Kuri, Damongo, Atentang, Assin Fosu, Okumpreko Kukyea, Okumpreko Nyaduo, and Nyamebekyere.

Mr Ekow Bartels, the GLRSSM Project's Mining Specialist, gave an overview of the project and introduced the selected blocked out areas. He emphasized the importance of the workshop to the project and admonished all involved parties to be actively involved.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ekow Bartels, the Mining Specialist of the GLRSSMP, thanked all of the participants for their efforts. He emphasized the next phases of the workplans, which included conducting a field verification of all blocked out areas and gathering critical information for drafting a comprehensive work program for the geological research of the 20 blocked out areas.