Gov't invites Proposals For The Establishment Of Bauxite Refinery

Government is inviting corporate entities and individuals interested in setting up a bauxite refinery to begin talks over the venture.

Minister of Land and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu who announced this says Nyinahin, Kyebi and Awaso have enough bauxite reserves that can power a long-term refinery.

It is believed the reserves from the three sites could provide the raw material needed for the refinery in 50-years.

"The good thing is that, if you combine Nyinahin, Kyebi and then this current site that we have, we have extensive reserves that will enable creations and formations of a refinery," he said.

Parliament recently passed into law the Ghana Bauxite Integrated Aluminium Industry Act, 2018, which would be the legal framework to take advantage of the opportunity of the vast bauxite resource available to help in economic development of the country

According to Mr. Amewu, the move forms part of efforts to add value to the mined mineral to the benefit of Ghanaians.

"So I think we will call on companies that are interested to begin to talk to government and see how we can establish a refinery that will, of course, benefit the company and then Ghanaians in general rather than take it out in its current raw state. So the way forward is to go into refinery."

Mr. Amewu who announced this during a day's visit to the Ghana Bauxite Company in Awaso also announced a similar refinery to refine 30 percent of Ghana's gold will be ready in November this year.

"In the gold industry, plans are far advanced to start refining 30 percent of the gold. I am sure by November, we should be able to execute that agreement where 30% of Ghana's gold from those mining companies would be refined. So these are some of the things we are doing in terms of value addition," he revealed.

Officials of the Ghana Bauxite Company in 2011 began talks with the government to establish a refinery.

Lack of commitment on the part of the government, reliable power supply and enough tonnage of ore to feed the refinery stalled the discussions.

Mr. Amewu, however, wants the Ghana Bauxite Company to take advantage of the recently passed law, Ghana Bauxite Integrated Aluminium Industry Act, 2018, the legal framework to process bauxite into aluminum.

Story by Ghana I Nhyira FM I Ohemeng Tawiah I [email protected]