President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is set to break ground for the construction of a $450 million manganese processing plant at Nsuta, in the Western Region, on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
This announcement was made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, during a tour of the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
He revealed that all necessary processes for the project are nearing completion, with the expectation that construction will begin before the close of the year. Addressing the media during his tour of the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) in the Western Region, Jinapor commended the management and staff of the company for their dedicated service to the country.
He further explained that the construction of the refinery is the result of extensive collaboration between teams from Ghana and China, who have been working diligently on the project.
He explained that the country is on the verge of crossing the Rubicon relative to the processes for the commencement of construction of the refinery and that it is a significant milestone for the government, which has consistently delivered on its promise to the country.
Once operational, the manganese refinery will bring an end to centuries of raw manganese exports from Ghana.
Instead, processed manganese products will be produced domestically, which is expected to generate more employment opportunities and increase revenue for the country.
“The company is working to get its next strategic phase done and far advanced. I am happy to report that we are currently at the concluding phase of beginning the construction of a refinery here in Nsuta.
“This will mean that products of this company, which have been shipped in their raw form for many years, will now have value addition in Ghana.
“A lot of work has been done on this matter. Teams from Ghana and China have visited both countries, and there has been a lot of work. At this stage, we are left with a few issues and getting parliamentary approval for the fiscal regime.
“Thereafter, we will be very much on the highway in terms of getting the refinery constructed and commissioned. This will mean that the centuries of exporting raw manganese will be a thing of the past.
“We are now going to have value addition and retain the reasonably highest end of the value chain of the manganese industry here in Ghana.
“It will have positive implications on employment and have several linkages, in terms of downstream industry and its economic effects.
“It forms part of President Akufo-Addo’s vision for the mining sector of this country. The president’s vision has been value addition for all our natural resources,” he said.
Jurgen Eijgendaal, the Managing Director of GMC, commended Samuel A. Jinapor for the visit and the rich support the company has enjoyed under his stewardship as sector minister.
He disclosed further that the company is readying itself for the refinery journey and that a number of areas will undergo significant investments and revamp to ensure that they provide the needed natural resources for the refinery plant.
