2 in strategic talks to help mining firms hit by energy crisis

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource is in strategic talks with the Power Ministry to help address the challenges facing mining companies in the wake of the worsening power crises.

“We are in discussions with the power minister to see if anything special can be done for the mining industry.

“There are issues and challenges and we also recognized that there are ways to fix them and efforts are being made to fix them.  But slowly but surely, I think that things are going to fall in place.”

 Several mining companies such as AngloGold Ashanti, Golden Star Resources, Newmont among others were roped into the ongoing load shedding exercise last year which is crippling their operations. The situation have deteriorated this year, leading to a hike in their operational cost.

Nii Osah Mills in an interview with the B&FT in Obuasi explained that government is working to ensure that mining companies are able to get enough power for their operations.

“Government is working feverishly to very hard to solve the issues challenges facing the paower sector.”

He explained that retrofitting is being done to an 80 kilowatt power plant which was procured and donated by some mining companies. The plant, he said is running at the time on oil and is being retrofitted to run on gas.

“The plant is being worked on to run on gas as the Atuabo gas is expected to come on stream,” he said.

“Obviously power plays an important role in mining as the machines and equipment take terrific amount of power and we are talking to the power minister to find a way to give extra power to mines because the play such a huge role and their equipment has to be kept constantly running and a shut down takes away from the process,’’ he explained.

“I am an optimist, I see a bright future, I see that the power issues will be solved soon,” remarked.

rFOIL energy saving facility to enter local market

rFOIL, an innovative technology for energy saving, designed to block 97% of radiant heat transfer, reduce heating and cooling costs, and prevent interior condensation is set to enter the Ghanaian energy and power market.

 

Produced in Canada by Covertech Fabricating Inc, under strict compliance with North American standards, rFOIL, a non-toxic products, comes as single or double layer of polyethylene bubbles bonded to and sandwiched between a radiant barrier metalized foil and white polyethylene sheet.

Home Decor and Construction Ghana, the sole distributor of the product in the country will be launching the product this month to coincide with the arrival of their first order.

The introduction of this product the local market is timely especially in this era of erratic power supply, it is a product required to ensure both energy and financial savings. It prevents interior condensation in all types of metal and metal-clad buildings. 

rFOIL is Class A fire-related; puncture and tear resistant; unaffected by humidity; easy to handle and install; and does not promote mold and mildew.  

It is applied on (in) pre-engineered steel buildings; post frame and pole barns, agricultural buildings, residential metal roofs, mini storage and livestock confinement, among other uses.

Among detailed features of the product include a eflective metalized aluminum surface facing, which reduces radiant heat gain and loss which blocks 97% of radiant heat transfer, saves energy use, lowers heating and cooling costs and as well improve interior comfort.

Multi-Layer Bubble Core, which provides continuous thermal break; lowers risk of interior surface condensation; does not absorb water or vapour.

It also does not harbor moisture of mold and has superior puncture, tensile and tear strength and is durable and long-lasting. 

White interior facing option, has been designed to brighten building interior, with attractive appearance, and makes it easy to clean. The practical tab option, simplifies installation; improves vapour-stealing efforts; and has various options for all metal building applications.

The quick seam saves time and labour; ensures continuous vapour and condensation barrier; and simplifies speeds installation.

WTC Accra explores investment opportunities in Doha, Qatar

 The World Trade Centre (WTC) Accra, in collaboration with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and the International Chamber of Commerce, is organising trade and investment mission to Doha, Qatar, aimed at creating a platform to share Ghana’s tremendous investment opportunities with the business community in Qatar.

The trade and investment mission is expected to commence from 5^th to 10^th April, 2015 and will be targetted at among other objectives clearly projecting Ghana to investors in Qatar as the most attractive investment destination in Africa. 

The mission is also to highlight promising areas of the Ghanaian economy to Qatar, and create networking opportunities between businesses, investors and government representatives of both countries.

Target sectors for this mission include Agriculture, Agro-processing, Oil & Gas, Mining and quarry, Construction, Energy, Telecommunication, Automobiles, Healthcare, Aviation, Banking, Project finance, Tourism development, Aviation, Real Estate development.

The Qatar Chamber of Commerce is known as a catalyst in promoting two-way international trade and business development, and offers a comprehensive range of programmes for local and international businesses.

Managing Director of World Trade Centre Accra, Mr. Emmanuel Doni-Kwame, explained that 2015 is a very exciting year for the World Trade Centre Accra, and as part of its programme line-up for the year will be organising a series of trade and investment missions to various countries abroad to position Ghana as the best investment destination within the ECOWAS sub-region. 

“As a result, WTC Accra believes organising this trade and investment mission will kick-start the business relationship between both parties, and strengthen and promote trade and investment between the two countries,” he said.

An important highlight of this mission, Mr. Doni-Kwame said, will be the series of pre-arranged business meetings that will be organised for participating companies to facilitate strategic alliances. 

“Industry visits may be organised for the participating delegates, especially from Ghana, to get first-hand information about Qatar industries and explore future partnerships,” he remarked.