ACCRA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's mining industry players on Friday downplayed the country's new status as Africa's leading gold producer.
Figures released by the World Bank in May said Ghana's gold export had jumped 15 percent to 158 tons last year, outpacing South Africa which produced 139.3 tons for the same year.
Addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Eric Asubonteng, president of the Chamber, said the new status was due to developments in South Africa.
"It is true that Ghana replaced South Africa as the largest producer of gold in 2018. However, we must note that certain factors led to a historically low performance by South Africa last year," he said.
He expressed disappointment that in spite of its new status, Ghana still lagged in exploration with only two active members of the chamber prospecting for minerals in the country at the moment.
The annual general meeting was held to climax the three-day Ghana Mining and Energy Summit organized by the Chamber of Mines which saw mining companies and associated businesses mounting impressive exhibition stands.
The Ghanaian government strives to realize the objective of refining 30 percent of Ghana's gold locally.
