Ghana has launched new national standards for grinding media, a critical input in mineral processing, to strengthen local manufacturing and deepen value addition in the mining sector.
The standards, developed after years of industry consultations dating back to 2014, are expected to address the limited supply of high-quality locally produced grinding media and increase local participation in mining supply chains.
The initiative was led by the Ghana Chamber of Mines in collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority, bringing together regulators, mining firms and academia.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, said grinding media played a central role in mineral processing and had a direct impact on productivity, efficiency and profitability in mining operations.
He explained that inconsistent quality of grinding media had affected operations in the past, but the introduction of standards would enhance reliability, boost confidence in locally manufactured products and position Ghana as a hub for mining support services in West Africa.
Dr Ashigbey highlighted the growing demand for grinding media, noting that procurement increased from about 33 million dollars in 2014 to more than 131 million dollars by December 2023, with only about 20 million dollars sourced locally.
He said the gap presented a significant opportunity for industrial growth, job creation and increased retention of value within the Ghanaian economy.
He urged stakeholders to prioritise the implementation of the standards to enable local manufacturers to compete effectively both locally and internationally.
Professor George Agyei, Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority, described the standards as a major step towards strengthening Ghana’s industrial base and reducing dependence on imported standards.
He said the move would give local manufacturers the confidence to invest, knowing that clear benchmarks had been established for production and quality assurance.
Mr Isaac Andrews Tandoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, said the standards defined key technical requirements such as chemical composition, hardness, dimensional tolerance and impact resistance.
He noted that this would provide clarity for manufacturers and enable mining companies to make informed procurement decisions.
Mr Tandoh commended industry players for driving the process from research through stakeholder engagement to final approval, describing it as a strong example of private sector leadership.
He assured that the Minerals Commission would strengthen its regulatory oversight to ensure compliance, while encouraging mining companies to source locally without compromising on quality and performance.
He also called for continued collaboration among regulators, industry players and other stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the standards.
The introduction of the grinding media standards is expected to support Ghana’s broader industrialisation agenda, enhance competitiveness in the mining sector and create new opportunities for local businesses.
