Residents of Prestea in the Western Region are hopeful that the reopening of an underground mine that has been shut down for some time now will materialise this time round.

They say several attempts previously to reopen the mine have not yielded the desired results.

President John Dramani Mahama cut the sod to open the mine in 2013, when the company began care and maintenance operations in the underground mine.  

The mine which used to employ over 1,500 people made the Prestea area another major growth pole in the Western Region until the shafts were closed in 2002. 

“I worked underground from 1978; unfortunately things didn’t go well so the mine was shut down. It was a big blow and we have stayed home for some years now this time we are hopeful that Golden Star Resources will open and start gold production.” one resident told Joy News.  

Chief Executive of the Mines Commission, Dr Tony Aubyn, has explained the mine stopped operating because of the setbacks experienced in the gold market.

“At a point in time, the gold price began to dip. It actually went down, but we have seen an upward move of the gold price and we have seen the drive to reduce cost at the mine,” he said.

It has now been proven profitable so the operation will start in earnest, he added. 

Leader of the concerned citizens of Prestea, Dominic Nyame, who has been advocating for the reactivation of the underground mines for over a decade, was hopeful that the mines will be reopened this time since the company has secured a loan of 150 million dollars, from Royal Gold. 

He said many promises made in the past never materialized. “So members of my group are closely watching Golden Star Resources that they open the mine and employ the youth here”.  

The underground mine is our heart desire, Nyame said.

On his part, Community Relations Officer at the Prestea Bogoso Mines, Robert Gyamfi said the complaints of residents are genuine and they are committed to operating the mine and produce the Gold.

“I think I share the community sentiment. We at the company want the mines, just as the community. It is not just about opening the mine but it is about having a profitable mine.” he said.

According to Robert Gyamfi the company has refurbished the underground winders, pumps and ventilation systems as it gets ready to start production as soon as all the health, safety and engineering milestones are achieved.