Ghana has attracted over 250 local and foreign companies into mining and mineral exploration. These include major multi-national companies such as AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Newmont amongst others including a number of Australians. In 2006, Ghana was rated 10th largest gold producing country in the world and the second largest producer in Africa, the 10th largest in bauxite and 9th both in diamonds and manganese production.

The Ghana day focus will be lead by Benjamin Aryee, Chief Executive of Ghana's Minerals Commission which is the governmental agency responsible for promoting the mining sector as well as managing and regulating the utilization of Ghana's mineral resources. Ben graduated from the University of Ghana in 1984 with a BA Hons in Economics. This was followed by an M.Eng. in Mineral Economics from the McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1992 and an MBA at the Ghana Institute of Management in 2002.

To demonstrate in more detail the level of exploration and development activity in Ghana, we have the MD’s of two Australian companies presenting on their respective multi-million ounce gold projects both located in the Ashanti Gold Belt. Adamus is targeting a 100,000ozpz mining operation from late 2010 at its Southern Ashanti Gold project where the resource exceeds 1.6Mozs. Perseus, focused on the Central Ashanti region, has established a larger resource figure of 4.8Mozs at its Ayanfuri Gold project. Both are completing Definitive Feasibility Studies this year.