President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will soon cut sod for work to commence on a $450 million manganese refinery in Nsuta, located within the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.
This announcement was made by Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, who revealed that the government has successfully concluded negotiations with the majority shareholder of Ghana Manganese Company Limited.
The refinery aims to enhance the quality of manganese from its current 27 percent to approximately 40 percent. This upgrade will enable the production and export of refined products, including battery-grade manganese, a crucial component in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Mr. Jinapor shared this development during the opening of the 8th University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference in Tarkwa. The conference was themed “Innovations in Mining and Mineral Processing: Expanding the Frontiers of Mining Technology.”
According to the Minister, the project exemplifies the government’s commitment to adding value to the country’s critical minerals. He emphasized that this initiative will promote economic diversification, create jobs, and position Ghana to leverage its mineral wealth for industrialization, enhancing its global competitiveness.
Mr. Jinapor stressed the importance of comprehensive geological investigations to identify and quantify critical mineral resources, forming the foundation for a diversified and information-driven mining sector. He advocated for investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital to develop a robust minerals value chain.
He urged institutions like UMaT to promote research and development and implement skills training programmes to build capacities and facilities for processing plants that add value to critical minerals. He highlighted the need for training individuals to acquire expertise in local mineral value addition and develop innovations that make this process cost-effective and efficient.
The Minister noted that the government has already established policy and regulatory frameworks to incentivize and support investment in value-added activities. The Green Minerals Policy, approved by the Cabinet, provides incentives for investments along the value chain.
Mr. Jinapor called for greater collaboration among industry regulators, players, universities, research institutions, the private sector, and international partners. He stressed that adding value to critical minerals is crucial for national development, enhancing competitiveness in the mining industry, contributing to socio-economic development, and unleashing prosperity for Ghanaians.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s mineral wealth, ensuring prosperity for all.
Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah, Vice Chancellor of UMaT, highlighted the conference’s objective to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, academics, and industry stakeholders to discuss their research and present findings.
The event featured a panel discussion on “Critical and Green Minerals: Ghana’s Preparedness for Value Addition,” with panelists including Mr. Alidu Seidu from the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Mr. Ahmed-Salim from Atlantic Lithium, Mr. Benjamin Nii Ayi Aryee from the Minerals Commission, and Dr. Clement Owusu from UMaT.
Source: GNA
