The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, delivered a compelling address at the 30th anniversary of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Monday, February 5.
With a resounding call to “Invest in the number one mining destination of Africa,” the Minister positioned Ghana as the undisputed mining hub of the continent.
Highlighting Ghana’s mining legacy of over a century, Minister Jinapor underscored the diverse mineral wealth the country possesses, including gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese, lithium, iron ore, copper, zinc, nickel, chrome, lead, and salt.
“We have three (3) new gold mines currently under construction, one by Newmont in the middle belt of the country, and two in Northern Ghana, by Cardinal Namdini and Azumah Resources, with Cardinal Namdini’s Project expected to pour its first gold this year. With these new mines, and the expansion of existing ones, we expect to increase gold output to some four point five million ounces (4,500,000 oz), annually,” he explained.
Emphasizing Ghana’s leadership in gold production on the continent, he reported an unprecedented four million ounces produced last year, with plans for expansion and the addition of three new gold mines.
The Minister invited investors to explore new gold deposits in the Savannah Region, challenging the conventional notion that gold was exclusive to the southern part of Ghana.
Minister Jinapor detailed Ghana’s commitment to value addition in mineral resources, including the construction of a 400kg capacity gold refinery. Progress toward securing a London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) certification with South Africa’s Rand Refinery was disclosed.
Beyond gold, the Minister highlighted Ghana’s strategic leverage of over nine hundred million metric tonnes of bauxite resources to build an integrated aluminum industry. Initiatives such as the construction of a $450 million manganese refinery and the establishment of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) were emphasized for harnessing iron ore resources.
Addressing the lithium market, the Minister affirmed Ghana’s commitment to value addition, echoing a firm stance against the raw export of lithium resources in alignment with Ghana’s Green Minerals Policy.
Minister Jinapor emphasized Ghana’s dedication to using mining as a catalyst for sustainable development, citing policy and legislative reforms since 2017 prioritizing efficient exploitation, environmental protection, value addition, local content, and local participation.
The government aims to shift from the traditional “dig and ship” model to a new era of beneficiation.
Highlighting opportunities across the entire mining value chain, the Minister presented Ghana’s strategic location and the benefits of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as key advantages for investors.
“And if we have not said it loud enough, permit me to repeat, Ladies and Gentlemen, under NO circumstance will we export our lithium resources in their raw state,” he stressed.
Assuring the global investor community of Ghana’s readiness for business, Minister Jinapor positioned Ghana as an attractive investment destination with ease of access to geological information, transparent governance institutions, and highly skilled mining personnel.
He wooed investors on the global scale to join in the exciting journey towards sustainable and mutually beneficial mining ventures in Ghana.