Gold, Bauxite, other minerals to be refined in Ghana soon – Lands Minister

Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, has revealed that Ghana will soon stop exporting only raw minerals to other countries.

Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh reiterated that, through his Ministry, the country has decided to refine its natural resources such as gold and bauxite before sending the finished products overseas.

According to reports, despite the nation being blessed with large reserves of bauxite, the resource has not been exploited to its fullest potential.

The study disclosed that most companies export the raw material that negatively impacts the country’s economy. Government was therefore urged to make it compulsory for companies to set up a refinery plant, if they wish to pursue mining of bauxite.

In response, the sector Minister announced that, “Plans are also in advance to halt exportation of raw bauxite as we pursue an integrated bauxite aluminium industry. Our laws cater for so very soon the manganese, the bauxite and all other related minerals will be dealt with in Ghana”.

Asomah-Cheremeh averred that an international standard which is line with the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) has been applied to confirm the bauxite mineral resources estimate.

To this effect, he declared that a verification drilling phase of the Bauxite Mineral Resource Estimate Programme has commenced in Kibi and Nyinahin.

“Consolidating and digitization of all geological data on bauxites in Ghana has been done. Establishment of a database and data room at the mineral commission that holds all bauxite records in Ghana is been put in place.” The Minister stating mechanisms to achieve results.

The Minister was confident that this new project will bring in more money to boost the country’s economy.

The Land and Resource Minister was speaking at a press confab in Accra on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.