'Exploit Other Industrial Minerals'

Joyce Aryee - CEO of Mines Chamber

THE GHANA Chamber of Mines has called for deliberate policies on the exploitation of Industrial minerals such as lime, marble, kaolin, salt and mica, among others to diversify the Mining sector of the country in view of the volatility of the price of gold.

According to a document by the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ghana abound in several industrial minerals which could be harnessed to help enhance the country's industrial development and to substitute imports with local products.

The document stated that the country could save foreign exchange and develop local technologies by local research institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

It revealed that exploitation of Industrial minerals in the country could create value through production and marketing and could significantly improve the country's revenue mobilization.

The Chamber revealed that limestone deposits at Buipe and Nauli could be calcined into clinker; the intermediate product in the production of cement.

Additionally, the lime deposits and clam shells could be used to produce hydrated lime which could be used by the mining and paint industries. Bauxite ore could also be used to produce alum for water treatment.

Salt could also be used for the production of caustic soda; a raw material for the soap. Chlorine could be used for water treatment, production of health and sanitation products.

Additionally, the Chamber observed that the country was endowed with granite, which could be exploited to produce high quality tiles or floor cover for the real-estate sector.

On jasper and other semi-precious stones, the Chamber revealed that it could be mined, polished and produced into ornaments, while the deposits of clay, feldspar and dolomite could be used in the production of bricks, tiles, crucibles and crockery.

“Although some level of manufacturing of these products was on-going, the scope needs to be expanded and deepened,” it noted.

Additionally, it mentioned that kaolin could be used in the production of porcelain and ceramics as well as insulators and fillers in the paper, pharmaceutical and paint industries.

Kaolin, which is found in Saltpond, Teleku Bokazo/ Aluku and Kyebi, could also be used as extenders for insecticides and fertilizers.

Clay stones could be developed as soak-aways to control mosquito breeding.

“The clay stones can contribute to the prevention of malaria since they soak up the water to avoid the creation of pools that create conducive conditions for the breeding of mosquitoes,” it further stated.

Currently, the Mining sector of the country provides various benefits including employment generation, long-term capital formation, social investments and skills development and transfer.

By Samuel Boadi