GGSA: More surveys underway to spur growth

The Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) has unveiled a series of ongoing and planned research projects and collaborations to expand Ghana’s mineral base beyond its conventional focus on gold, bauxite, manganese, and diamonds among others.

In an interview with the Daily Statesman at Accra, the Director-General of the GGSA, Isaac Kuwaan Mwinbelle, disclosed that the initiatives aim to diversify the country’s mineral base, recognising the need to explore alternative resources beyond the traditional sectors that have long been the cornerstone of Ghana’s mining industry.

Projects for global trends

Mr Mwinbelle revealed that one of the key research projects the Authority is undertaking hinges on Columbite-Tantalite (Coltan), a mineral associated with pegmatite formations. He said these are intrusive rocks present opportunities for economic exploration to ascertain their potential value across different regions of Ghana.

He indicated that the Authority will continue its exploration of lithium, further trying to ascertain if certain pegmatite formations also harbor lithium mineralization as well as research into Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
Additionally, the GGSA D-G mentioned that the Authority will continue to conduct investigations into clay, recognizing its significance as a crucial raw material for both the ceramic and building industries, particularly in cement manufacturing.

“The cement industry is transitioning from other raw materials to clay usage. So we aim to explore and identify economically viable clay deposits so that anyone interested in clay mining can utilize them for ceramic industry or cement manufacturing purposes. We believe that this initiative will go a long way to significantly reduce cement prices in Ghana,” he stated.

The Director-General said all these projects would drive innovation and foster a more dynamic and resilient mining sector that can help the country adapt to evolving market trends and global demands. He noted that the demand for minerals is evolving, prompting GGSA to explore new avenues for economic growth that align with these changes.

He added that by venturing into new avenues of mineral exploration and research, GGSA seeks to unlock the economic potential of lesser-known minerals and contribute to the sustainable development of Ghana’s mining sector.

Ambitious targets

The GGSA Director-General also outlined ambitious targets to be achieved by the end of June and November this year, aiming to enhance its research and operational capabilities. According to him, one of the primary targets is the production of two geological bulletins. He said the Authority aims to publish the first bulletin in June and the second by November this year.

These bulletins, he indicated, will serve as baseline information for areas surveyed, incorporating data collected over the designated period.

The Director-General emphasised that the recent 2-day workshop, dubbed, “Experience Sharing Workshop” was instrumental in advancing towards these targets, facilitating technical collaboration to refine and finalize the content of the bulletins.

Regarding the GGSA’s plan to allocate resources and prioritize activities to meet the established targets, the Director-General explained that it is integrated into the Authority’s annual budget, with dedicated provisions earmarked specifically for these objectives.
He stated that the GGSA is undertaking a 10-year strategic plan to guide its activities and initiatives. He disclosed that the GGSA aims to convert seismic stations to SIM card transmission for real-time data collection.

“Currently, reliance on satellite transmission poses challenges, particularly in cases of satellite malfunctions, impeding the timely and efficient transmission of seismic data to the National Data Centre. Even though the monitoring is taking place but the transmission of data from the seismic station to the data centre becomes a problem,” he bemoaned.

Consequently, he said the plan is to shift to SIM card transmission leveraging the extensive mobile network coverage across the country. He explained that this transition aims to ensure the immediate detection and response to seismic events, providing accurate information to the public promptly.

He further emphasised the need for proper sensitization and urged developers to construct structures resilient to seismic impacts.

Source:Bright Philip Donkor/johnawuniktv@gmail.com