Located in the northern region, ghana birim goldfields ghana limited

2.INTRODUCTION

This terminal report documents the exploration programme carried out by Birim Goldfields (Ghana) Ltd during the license period and documents the proposed work programme going forward.

Ownership And License Details

Semafo Inc. acquired Tinga through a merger with Prospex Mining Inc (“Prospex”) on 30th June, 1999. Prospex, formerly, signed a Joint Venture Agreement with AGEM Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of IAMGOLD Ltd., January 19th, 1999. IAMGOLD, had formerly explored Tinga in a jointly funded alliance (“Alliance”) with Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd. from August, 1995 until June, 1997. Birim Goldfields Inc. acquired the Tinga prospecting license through the acquisition of all of the shares in the capital of Ebi (Ghana) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Semafo. The Tinga prospecting license currently covers 46km².

2.1Location

The Tinga Prospecting License is located in west central Ghana within the Northern Region, between latitudes 8º 28’N and 8º 42’ N and longitudes 2º 08’ W and approximately 2º 18’ W (Appendix A, Figures 4). The Tinga prospecting license covers a 46.25 km² area and lies only 12 kilometres west of Birim's Kuri gold prospect, surrounding and to the east of the township of Tinga, situate on the main Wenchi-Bole road. The pillar coordinates (UTM 30 N) of the retained portions of the tenement are as follows:

Pillar ID	X_Decimal	Y_Decimal	East_DMS	North_DMs
1	-2.18873	8.60543	2° 11' 19.44"	8° 36' 19.56"
2	-2.13287	8.60102	2° 7' 58.32"	8° 36' 3.66"
3	-2.14057	8.53903	2° 8' 26.04"	8° 32' 20.52"
4	-2.18617	8.55620	2° 11' 10.20"	8° 33' 22.32"
5	-2.23497	8.59230	2° 14' 5.88"	8° 35' 32.28"
6	-2.20153	8.59225	2° 12' 5.52"	8° 35' 32.10"

Table 1: Pillar Co-ordinates for the Tinga Prospecting License

2.2Access

Access to the concession is serviced by a well-maintained paved road from Sunyani (regional capital) through Wenchi (district capital) to Black Volta Crossing (Toll Bridge) at Bamboi, on the main Kumasi-Wa trunk road. The main footpath leading to the Tinga workings have been converted into a track for vehicles. Access routes within the license have been established during previous drilling programs. Numerous footpaths and bush tracks cross-cut the concession.

2.3Physiography

Topographically the terrain is mostly gently undulating and characterized by low to subdued terrain, seldom rising 100m above mean sea level.
Tinga concession falls within the tropical-humid-moist-savannah climatic zone. The seasonality is generally split between a wet or rainy season from May to October, with a peak in August, and a dry season from November to April.
Temperatures range from an average of 27º during April to November and average of 29º from December to March. The average annual rainfall is about 1250mm, mostly torrential with thunderstorms. Annual evaporation far exceeds precipitation. General drainage pattern is radial to dendritic, and the streams are mostly seasonal. The license area is covered by streams and other smaller rivers most of which are tributaries of the Pond River. Stream flow regime is mostly off the main granite dome.
The dry season is characterized by harsh north-easterly winds known locally as the Harmattan. The Harmattan brings in large amount of airborne dust, from the Sahara, whilst reducing visibility, temperature and humidity.
The vegetation comprises primarily wooded savannah, which is completely burnt down annually, during the dry season.

2.4Local Politics And Socio-Economics Of The Area

The concession falls under the jurisdiction of several chiefs, and sub-chiefs, of the Gonja Tribe. The Tinga Wara presides over lands which occupy majority of the lease. Wasipe Wara rules over the lands in the bottom southwest 20% of the concession. Tinga and Wasipe chiefs report to the Bole chief, who himself reports to the Chief of Damango Traditional Area, the head of the Gonja Tribe. The license is located in the Bole-Bamboi constituency.
Christianity and Islam are the main religious groups in the area. Farming is the main occupation of the people. The principal economic activities in the area are limited subsistence farming and charcoal manufacture. Other economic activities include hunting and collection, fishing and galamsey activities.
The license area is situated within the infrastructural influence of Wa, Sawla, Bole and Bamboi. A high-tension power line supplying Wa and the Northern Region passes through Wenchi and follows the road northward. Bole is the main centre near the license area with post office, clinic, banks, district police headquarters etc. Communication network coverage is accessible at Bole.