GoldCoast GRC Says Offshore Surveys Do Not Amount to Commercial Gold Mining

GoldCoast GRC has clarified that its offshore activities in Ghana are preliminary reconnaissance surveys and do not involve commercial gold extraction.

The company, chaired by Sir Sam Jonah, issued the clarification amid public concerns about the scope of its 10 offshore reconnaissance licences and their potential implications for fishing communities.

According to the company, its work covers airborne magnetic data collection, marine geophysical surveys, bathymetric and seismic investigations, and preliminary beach-sand coring. These activities are intended to gather geological information rather than establish a commercial mining operation.

GoldCoast GRC maintained that the reconnaissance licences do not authorise commercial extraction. Any move towards mining would require separate approvals beyond the permissions granted for the current surveys.

The company also addressed its reported discovery of visible gold grains in coastal sand samples collected between Esiama and Akwidaa. It stressed that the preliminary findings do not establish resource grades or demonstrate that commercial production would be viable.

The 10 adjoining licence areas cover approximately 10,000 square kilometres, reportedly equivalent to about 53 per cent of Ghana’s continental shelf. The scale of the area has contributed to concerns among artisanal fishers, canoe owners and civil society organisations.

Fishing groups have called for the licences to be permanently revoked, arguing that survey activities and any future shallow-water dredging could damage marine habitats, affect fish stocks and undermine coastal livelihoods.

The dispute has also drawn regulatory scrutiny. The Minerals Commission previously directed a pause in the company’s offshore activities, with advanced seaborne exploration, vibrocore drilling and bulk sampling remaining on hold pending comprehensive community consultations and formal written authorisation.

Company executives have held meetings with regulatory authorities in Accra to address conflicting government correspondence and clarify the project’s status.

GoldCoast GRC’s position is that its licences remain valid, while active exploration is paused pending the required consultations, environmental reviews and regulatory clearance.

Omanghana is an online news portal that provides readers around the world with a greater focus on Ghana and other parts of Africa. Established in 2009, Omanghana regularly publishes articles related to News, Sports, and Entertainment.

CONTACT USLatest posts 1 2 3 … 1980 CategoriesHOMEBUSINESSENTERTAINMENTFOOD & CUISINESPORTTECHBREAKINGWORLD