Contributing to government’s plans to indigenize the mining industry, efforts are underway to revamp Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited’s operations and boost gold recovery. The tailings-processing company in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality is aiming to scale up its gold output beyond the current 50kg target beginning 2026.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director of Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited, Alhaji Ishaq Dauda, during a media reconnaissance session.
Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited, owned by GNPC, extracts gold mainly from old tailings and waste ore deposited over a century of mining activity in the Prestea Gold Belt. However, the company’s profitability has declined in recent years, prompting management to re-strategize to improve production.
As part of its turnaround plan, the company is constructing a new tailings dam expected to be completed by the end of December to support the existing one that has reached capacity.
“This is a new dam… we started about seven months ago. The previous dam was full and creating problems for us. This new one will have geotextiles to prevent leakages into the soil. We want to properly control how chemicals get into the system so communities feel safe,” the MD noted.
The company is also refurbishing its processing plant to boost capacity and improve gold recovery.
“Most of the tanks are very old, so we are refurbishing them one after the other without shutting down. When completed in December, we expect a 50% increase in production and better recoveries,” he added.
Prestea Sankofa is investing GH¢8 million in plant refurbishment and an additional US$3 million in the new tailings dam. Exploration works have so far defined about 400,000 ounces of gold, with expectations of further increase as drilling progresses. Over US$3.5 million has already been committed to exploration and preparatory activities for new mining zones.
Alhaji Dauda emphasized that the company is securing its own concession to ensure sustainability.
“Buying tailings won’t be sustainable forever. You need your concession to mine hard rock, otherwise operations may have to stop when tailings become unavailable.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
