The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor, has disclosed that the government will construct a $450 million manganese processing plant at Nsuta in the Western Region to make Ghana a hub for adding value to mineral resources.
The Minister, who said this during a tour of the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) in the Western Region on Wednesday, stated that the processes for commencing the project are at the concluding stages, adding that the project would kick off before the end of the year.
He commended the management of GMC, noting that their contributions would significantly expand the new refinery.
Mr Jinapor stated that the country was about to take a crucial step forward in starting the construction of the refinery. This would mark an important achievement for the government, which has consistently fulfilled its commitments to the nation.
“This is a breakthrough in our efforts to move from exporting raw materials to adding value within our borders,” he said.
He noted that the refinery would increase employment and revenue from the manganese industry.
He added 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.”
On his part, the Managing Director of GMC, Mr Jurgen Eijgendaal, commended the Minister for the support the company has enjoyed under his stewardship.
“The company is readying itself for the refinery journey… a number of areas will undergo significant investments and revamp to ensure that they provide the needed natural resources for the refinery plant,” he added.
Source:norvanreports.com