Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), Mr. Michael Ansah has paid a working visit to one of the four projects being executed under the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) in Nyinahin Block-B (Project 2) in the Ashanti Region.
His visit follows the commencement of Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) currently being undertaken by its partner, Rocksure International to validate and define the bauxite reserves.
Mr. Ansah noted that it was important to experience, at first hand, the extent of work being undertaken by its partner Rocksure International, which will pave the way for the construction of a mine and to deliver a solution to refine bauxite in Ghana.
“We are seeing that work is progressing and what is particularly gratifying is to see a wholly-owned Ghanaian Company, Rocksure International, demonstrate the competence and capacity to do this sort of work. We are looking at being able to enable that capacity, enable that vision of building a Ghana with Ghanaians who can drive the development of an industry such as this,” Mr. Ansah said.
He noted that the MRE may be completed in less than a year, which will pave the way for the building of a mine with a refinery solution in the Nyinahin-Mpasaaso area.
“The prospecting program will take a few months, probably 4 – 6 months or so and we are doing hills 6A, 6B, hill 5, and hill 4. The samples are being collected progressively, so we can ascertain the quality and quantity of bauxite that we have in these areas,” he added.
Mr. Ansah indicated that he was excited to see the involvement of locals of Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and adjoining communities as employees already on the site.
The delegation from GIADEC, led by its CEO, was taken on a brief tour of the project site to inspect and observe the processes of collecting bauxite samples for analysis at the laboratory. The team was also introduced to a state-of-the-art drilling machine being used to conduct auger and diamond drilling.
According to Project Geologist at Rocksure International, Mr. Isaac Marbee, opting for a combined approach drilling will help obtain quality core samples that will be analyzed at the laboratory to ascertain the geology and content of alumina which will inform the type of refinery to be constructed.
Some residents expressed their excitement about the commencement of the project and the prospects for their employment.
“I never knew I was going to live to witness this day. It’s a dream come true, and I will urge the youth in this area to take advantage of this project to better their lives,” a resident, Gordon said.
“The promise of mining bauxite in Nyinahin predates my parents and growing up, I always thought that bauxite mining can never happen in this part of the country. I thought it was a hoax; so, it brings me so much joy and satisfaction to be part of the first batch of people employed to work on this project,” said Owusu Afriyie, a resident from Nyinahin.
In September 2021, Rocksure International signed an agreement to partner with GIADEC to execute Project 2 – the development of a mine and a refinery solution, under a joint venture partnership.
Project 2 is one of four projects being executed under the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) value chain by GIADEC.
The team from GIADEC included a Senior Manager with the technical department, Mr. Kwabena Atta Mensah, Executive Assistant to the CEO, Mr. Kojo Yankah, Communications Manager, Mr. Sheriff Appiah, and a Senior Administration Officer with the External Affairs Department, Ernest Appiah.
