Dear Clients,
Another month has passed and although covid is still looming over us, there are positives to keep the light at the end of the tunnel shining. On site in Ghana, much remains the same since our last update. In terms of the virus, things did seem to settle for a brief period, but fears of new variants, the lack of facilities and another wave have caused more panic leading to a delay in the ease of restrictions (see extracts below – Source: BBC).
“The fatality rate for Africa has crept up since July last year when it was on average 2.1% – to 2.7% in April this year (measured over the duration of the pandemic).”
After fulfilling contracts in Groups A & B, our focus turns to our outstanding loan arrangements and those in Group C. The loan facilities made to us are a priority as without them, we would not be in production and would certainly not have made the progress we have to date. Once these loans are retired, our attention will be purely focused on Group C and beyond. Despite the constant obstacles being placed in front of us, we are making progress and as always, we thank you for your patience. Once things do settle, we will be in touch and we remain fully committed to redeeming all contracts as quickly as it is possible.
Today, we still operate with a skeleton crew, mining at a fraction of our capability. Although progress is very slow, once we come through the pandemic, momentum will build relatively quickly. To utilize the small number of staff on site safely and efficiently, we have now regenerated over 22 acres of land, fully replenishing the soil and replanting with crops of the local farmers choice. In addition, we are using this time to ensure our machines are fully serviced, maintained and ready to work; we are stockpiling as much ore as we are able to; and we are creating as many efficiency-driven changes as possible to ensure we continue to be the exemplary mining business that we are.
With your help, we have become the highly respected and admired organisation I talk about, and I say so due to a number of ‘compliments’ we have had of late that add real value to our business. We were approached by the Ministry of Mines & Steel Development of the Federal Government of Nigeria to allow a German consultancy firm on site, to assist in all things mining. The German consultancy firm is currently implementing a project on environmental management in the Nigerian Mining Sector as part of a program funded by the World Bank. Although they were not able to see the full picture due to Coronavirus, the feedback from this visit was very positive.
-“the team has gained insights into your operations, especially your approach to communityengagement and involvement. Your environmental management processes are worthemulating”
-(Transeco can) “support the improvement in the understanding of existing legal and regulatoryframeworks in Ghana on environmental and social issues in mining and how this will influencethe improvement in that of Nigeria.”
Part of the same feedback was an invitation to Nigeria to visit various sites to suggest where
improvements can be made. This will happen in due course but for now our focus and priority remains
on our operation in Ghana.
We have also been appointed a ‘model mine’ by the Accra Mining Network. Once restrictions are
loosened, we will take on an ‘Alluvial Mining Field School’ who will shadow our team members at
various times to assist them in learning the operational side of our business, but their main focus and
most importantly, is to promote responsible mining in Ghana.
These are all extremely positive for us as a business moving forward and adds more weight to our
already solid foundation.
Luckily, as my work is deemed essential travel, I have been in Ghana for the majority of 2021 and plan
to keep it that way as much as I am able. This allows me to keep a tight grip on daily operations to
ensure we are doing everything in our power to honor contracts as quickly as we possibly can. Thank
you for your patience in these uncertain times.
We welcome any questions, queries or conversations, so as always, please address any to
info@transeco.org. If you would like to speak to me directly, please request this through the back office
who will arrange a call.
Kind Regards
Mr A Niazi Mr G Amarh
Director Director