Five mining firms, consultants and investors from the United Kingdom were Ghana last December to explore investment

opportunities in the sector.

The team including government officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, met with top government officials

to discuss and exchange ideas on Ghana's investment climate with particular emphasis on the growth and potentials of the mining industry.

The companies are the London and Overseas Supplies Ltd, Wardell Armstrong, Meridian Exports Limited and IMC Engineers Limited.

The delegation, led by Mr Malcom A. Ives, First Secretary of the British High Commission in Ghana met the Minister of Mines and Energy, Mr. Fred Ohene Kena to discuss developments in the mining sector.

Mr. Kena said the low price of gold couple with high cost of production might result in the collapse of some mining firms though majority of mining firms in Ghana may survive.

The government is encouraging mining companies to go into Bauxite production, Mr. Kena said. He said enormous opportunities abound in the bauxite sub-sector and said only one company is mining bauxite at Awaso in the Western Region.

"Ghana has a large deposit of bauxite in Kibi, Eniahe and communities around Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region," The Minister therefore appealed to the investors to take advantage of the conducive investment atmosphere.

The delegation visited Obuasi, Tarkwa and other mining areas to acquaint themselves with mining activities.