ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Economic development in Africa is often associated with mine development and options for continued economic success are required once a mine closure (or facility closure) decision is made. The closure of the tailings disposal facilities offers the greatest potential benefit to local economic development in the Western Region of Ghana. Through the involvement of our Golden Star Oil Palm Plantation (GSOPP), we will build on the successes achieved in other areas of Ghana, more specifically at the Damang mine, to develop an oil palm plantation on the decommissioned tailings disposal facility. GSOPP will provide the expertise and management required for the success of the project and through a smallholder program will result in employment for about 16 family units (supporting about 200 people in total) while the mine is still operating. By building on the base skills of the local people, we will be able to turn a potential liability into a community economic asset and contribute to the long-term economic stability to a region of the world that suffers from high levels of poverty.
