The new management of Sankofa Mines, under the leadership of Alhaji Ishaq Dauda, is injecting fresh capital into the company’s operations as part of a major transformation agenda aimed at restoring the fortunes of the wholly Ghanaian-owned large-scale gold mining firm.
As part of the modernisation programme, the company is constructing a new tailings dam and refurbishing its aging processing plant at a combined cost of US$11 million.
Out of this, US$3 million is being invested in the new tailings dam, while US$8 million is dedicated to the overhaul of the processing facility.
The new tailings dam, which covers approximately 10 hectares, is being built in stages to align with the mine’s production levels.
The first phase is expected to be completed by December 2025, with the entire project taking about a year to finish.
Designed with comprehensive environmental and safety measures, the facility includes underdrains, geomembrane liners and a modern basin to prevent groundwater contamination and ensure sustainable waste management.
Speaking to journalists during a working tour of the mine, Managing Director Alhaji Ishaq Dauda said the ongoing investments were critical to improving production efficiency and ensuring long-term sustainability.
“The processing section and the dam area form the heart of our operations. Some of our eight main processing tanks have been in operation for over a decade and refurbishing them will significantly enhance gold recovery and overall performance.”
He added that the refurbishment is being done in phases to avoid a complete shutdown. “We drain one tank, refurbish it, hand it over and move to the next until all are completed by December,” he said.
According to Alhaji Dauda, once the upgrades are completed, gold recovery and production capacity are expected to increase by about 50 percent, representing a significant boost for both the company and its stakeholders.
Community Engagement and Security Measures
Beyond operational improvements, the Managing Director highlighted the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community development.
Recent CSR activities include; breast cancer screening exercises for women in the Fondai area and plans to construct a community library in partnership with the local traditional council.
He further revealed that 85 percent of graduate trainee and casual employment slots have been allocated to residents of host communities to promote local participation and shared growth.
On security, Alhaji Dauda acknowledged persistent challenges with illegal incursions, but assured that management had intensified surveillance and rapid-response measures to safeguard the company’s concession, saying “We are up to the task.”
Expansion and Future Prospects
Sankofa Gold currently operates a five-year concession covering about 87 square kilometres and is in talks to secure additional concessions to transition fully into hard-rock mining.
“Initially, Sankofa relied mainly on processing purchased tailings, but that model is not sustainable. We are now positioning the company to mine its own ore,” the Managing Director stated.
Exploration on the current concession has so far defined an estimated 400,000 ounces of gold, though the figure is expected to rise as drilling and exploration continue.
The company has already invested over US$3.5 million in exploration and preliminary development work.
At present, Sankofa produces about 50 kilograms of gold monthly, up from 25 kilograms previously. With the completion of ongoing projects, monthly output is projected to rise to 150 kilograms by the end of December.
A dam construction expert working on the project emphasized that safety and environmental protection remain central to the company’s design and construction philosophy.
“We are installing both clay and geomembrane liners to prevent permeability and contamination of groundwater sources. Many people depend on boreholes for drinking water, so we must ensure there’s no risk to the public or our workers,” he explained.
He added that environmental sustainability and the health of workers remain key pillars of Sankofa’s operations.
Strong Outlook
Alhaji Ishaq Dauda expressed optimism about the company’s long-term prospects, citing strong global gold prices and the ongoing capital investments.
“We are building buffers that will sustain the company for the long term. Once we complete these upgrades and secure our own concession, Sankofa Gold will remain solid, competitive, and profitable,” he assured.
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The post Sankofa Gold invests $11m to revamp operations and boost production appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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