President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has launched the four key projects under the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) with the aim of ensuring the full utilisation of Ghana’s bauxite.
They include the expansion of existing mine at Awaso and building of a refinery and the development of a mine at Nyinahin-Mapasaaso and a refinery solution.
The others are the development of a mine at Kyebi, a second mine at Nyinahin- Mpassaaso and building of a refinery and the modernisation and expansion of Valco smelter to improve efficiency and increase capacity.
An agreement was, thus, signed between GIADEC and Rocksure International Limited, a wholly owned Ghanaian business to develop a mine at Nyinahin-Mapasaaso and a refinery solution
The signing of the agreement will enable GIADEC to begin mining operations within 24 months.
It will also see to the development of a refinery solution within the next four years.
The projects would be dependent on the 900 million tonnes of bauxite reserves that exist across three locations in the country including Awaso in the Western North Region, Nyinahin and Mpasaaso in the Ashanti and Eastern Region respectively.
President Akufo-Addo said the projects were critical toward the realisation of government’s Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda.
His commitment toward building a prosperous Ghana, he said, was unwavering, adding that the signing of the agreement was an indication of the governing party’s keeping faith with Ghanaians.
The President further stated that Government will act to protect the environment at all times and reiterated calls for all mining activities to be done in a responsible and sustainable manner.
President Akufo-Addo expressed delight about the choice of Rocksure in partnering GIADEC saying “The choice is very pleasing.”
He maintained that he was certain that Rocksure international will be a credible partner to GIADEC.
As “the metal of the future,” he urged the Board and Management of GIADEC to execute their mandate with all sense of urgency.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, said that after almost two and half years of its existence, GIADEC has worked towards realisation of the noble and outstanding vision of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He stated that government, through the Ministry, has taken far-reaching steps to promote effective and responsible exploitation and preservation of the country’s natural resources.
Emphasising the importance of aluminium to economic development, he said “we cannot industrialise without developing an Integrated Aluminium industry.”
For his part, the CEO of GIADEC, Mr Michael Ansah explained that GIADEC’s strategic plan is to partner with the private sector to attract significant investment to develop and maximize the potential of all core and non- core areas in the sector.
He added that “our plan has resulted in the 4 key projects to be developed concurrently.”
He expressed utmost appreciation to all stakeholders who had supported the GIADEC, notably the Asantehene, Okeyehene, ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi among others.
Ghana Integrated Aluminium development Corporation (GIADEC) seeks to leverage on Ghana’s existing bauxite reserves and allied aluminium assets, to drive the full commercial exploitation of the country’s bauxite reserves, and add value through refining bauxite into Alumina, and smelting Alumina to produce Aluminium, whilst encouraging the development of downstream industries.
Source: Classfmonline.com