Triton currently holds one of the largest, single contiguous forest concessions in the world which is entirely located underwater in Lake Volta, Ghana, the largest man-made lake in the world. The total area of the flooded forests in Lake Volta is approximately 850,000 hectares, with Triton’s concession amounting to 350,000 hectares, or 40% of the lake. By Triton’s estimates, Lake Volta will provide more than thirty years of annual harvest.
http://www.nepcon.net/4372/English/HOME/News_...frontier_/
While some public commentators have touted the Volta Lake timber project as transformational, others have launched strong criticisms against it. When the project was first announced in 2006, some local newspapers claimed it was a cover up for extensive mining of diamonds and other minerals suspected to abound in the Voltarian basin, the track of land bordering the Volta Lake.
A non-governmental organization, Commanding Heights, claimed the project would endanger women and children. These are considered most vulnerable because in the event of rain storms on the lake, they cannot seek refuge around the tree stumps but depend instead on help from fishermen. Beside the criticisms, there are also environmental concerns as the operations of CSR Development could threaten aquatic life.
Already, fisher folks along the banks of the lake are complaining about dwindling fish stocks. Total fish landings declined from 36,000 tonnes in 1971 to 28,373 tonnes in 1998, with annual decline in catch per unit effort estimated at 0.255 kg/boat/day.
"We are in constant touch with the Environmental Protection Agency and other research institutions, and should our activities have a negative impact on fish breeding patterns and fish stocks in the lake, we would immediately vary our methods to ensure the fishing industry is not jeopardised," Reverend Johnson said.
"We are very interested in the environmental implications of this project. We are leaving nothing to chance to ensure our operations meet the highest global standards while also looking to see how through it we can add to sustainable development," he added. The project's research and development manager, Peter Milne, said every caution had been taken to prevent any fluid leakages and if they did occur, they would be contained within the barge, while the fuel depot is also secured against seepage of fuels into the soil and lake.
"Because we want to operate in an environmentally friendly manner, we will use biodegradable oil to ensure safety of the lake," Milne said.
CSR Developments believes the project will be of tremendous benefit to both the country and investors and Ghanaian officials are equally upbeat about it. Apart from the fact that the project will significantly reduce fatal boat accidents and improve the water transportation system, the cost of bulk haulage is expected to reduce by half and the project also has the potential to halt deforestation.
http://www.ghanabizmedia.com/ghanabizmedia/ap...sport.html
The equipment includes boats, barges, sonar, and a sawmill, plus Triton’s patent ? pending SHARC™ Harvester. Volta Lake is the first of Triton’s international operations to utilize the SHARC™ system, which was specifically designed for harvesting trees at depths to more than 25 metres (80 feet). Using video and sonar, the SHARC™ can maneuver independent of boats and anchors, allowing it to find, cut and retrieve trees using its powerful telescoping arm and cutting head. Compared to other diver ? based underwater logging operations, the SHARC™ is quicker, safer and able to reach greater depths.
http://www.tritonlogging.com/pdfs/TritonLogging-May2011.pdf
