Ghana develops additional bauxite mines in Nyinahin and Kyebi, says Michael Ansah

The West African nation, Ghana which ranks as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa and where bauxite mining keeps on to be the most happening news in the past few months, has confirmed the ongoing process of expanding the existing bauxite mine in Awaso, as well as developing additional mines in Nyinahin and Kyebi.

On 28th May 2021, during his official visit to a media communication house in Accra, Ghana, Michael Ansah, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Integrated Aluminium Industry (GIADEC): “The move was part of plans to make the industry the leading Integrated Aluminium Company in Africa.”

He further clarified: “In Nyinahin, we can do about 10 million tonnes, five million in Awaso and also about another five million in Kyebi.”

“GIADEC had obtained all the prospective licence on all the bauxite areas in Ghana; hence, nobody could mine bauxite without engaging his outfit”, Ansah added.

“Nobody can do bauxite mining without engaging GIADEC. Nobody can do just bauxite mining because the laws require that we export refined products. So it has defined the parameters in which we want to operate in these areas.”

While called on officially in regards to GIADEC’s Master plan, Ansah said:  “The plan was to expand the VALCO smelter and develop a second smelter to increase Ghana’s aluminium production capacity.”

“GIADEC would also develop refineries to maximise in-country value by refining bauxite into alumina, and limiting the export of raw bauxite.”

“Apart from VALCO, there is potential to develop additional smelters. So we are looking at developing the mines, developing the refineries, revamping the smelter and then building downstream industries,” he said.

“In terms of the refineries, we aspire to build about four million metric tonnes capacity and then smelter, revamping VALCO and then the downstream industries related to the various sectors of the economy.”

The CEO explained: “In collaboration with the Ministry of Railways Development, more rails would be constructed to help transport imported commodities, adding that GIADEC had had talks with the ministry regarding the Western and Eastern lines.”

“We are also liaising with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to expand the ports and further improve the capacity to carry the loads.”