AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) Ghana intends to lay off some of its workers as part of its cost-saving measure, a Senior Vice President in charge of operations at the Obuasi Mine, Mark Morcombe has hinted.
Mr Morcombe, who announced this, said the production of gold by the mining company has been declining over the last 15 years.
Speaking at the 2nd Town Hall Meeting of AGA in Obuasi on Wednesday, the Senior Vice President noted that cost and expectation inch up each year as against significant drop in the price of gold from its peak of US$600 per ounce in late 2011 to US$350 in 2012.
According to him, the lack of quality execution plan and measurement of delivery as against the plan of the previous management, as well as other complex issues pertaining to Obuasi contributed immensely to the steady decline of production level.
�There are significant environmental and legacy costs,� he noted.
Steve Rickman, AGA Ghana Senior Vice President in charge of Organisation Effectiveness and Human Resources, said tight cost management at $250/oz gold price was one of the key imperatives for him as the new manager of the company.
According to him, the new team intends to identify opportunities.
He reiterated management�s preparedness to continuously develop and liaise with all stakeholders.
The Managing Director of AGA Obuasi Mine, Kwesi Enyan, on his part, complained about the activities of illegal miners, popularly known as �galamseyers� on the company�s concession.
He said until March, this year about 10,000 illegal miners, made up of Ghanaians and Chinese, were operating on AGA�s concession.
The �galamsey� operation could not have gone on without the support of some chiefs, politicians and workers of AGA, he indicated.
He stated that illegal mining destroyed farmlands and water bodies like Oda and Jimi Rivers.
Mr Enyan hailed the move by President Mahama to clamp down on the activities of illegal miners in the country.
He mentioned that there were illegal holes at Cote D�or, North ramp, Anyinam pit and Blackies.
�With the announcement of the second phase, we are appealing to the Assemblies, police and the courts to assist to complete the operation,� he stressed.
The Managing Director of AGA Obuasi Mine also noted that AGA was facing challenges at Ahansoyewodea, Anwiam, and Odumase, stressing that the company�s workers were being threatened.
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