GMC to build $450m refinery, advancing value addition in mining sector

Nsuta-based mining firm, Ghana Manganese Company (GMC), is set to construct the country’s first manganese refinery.

The $450 million project will begin with a sod-cutting ceremony on November 21, 2024, marking the start of the first phase.

GMC is the sole manganese producer and exporter in Ghana, with 90% owned by Ningxia Tianyan Industry Company Ltd. (TMI) and 10% by the Ghanaian government.

The company, in operation for over 110 years, utilises open-pit mining at its Nsuta Manganese Mine, currently focused on “Pit C” after merging several satellite pits.

This new initiative, led by GMC in partnership with its majority shareholder, Tanyun Manganese Industry Group (TMI) of China, aims to transition the company from exporting low-grade carbonate manganese to producing high-grade manganese through value addition.

The first phase, estimated at $240 million and expected to be completed within two years, will include the construction of a 45-megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant and a power transmission refinery.

The scope of work also involves a dedicated mineral railway line and investment in Takoradi Port to enhance future manganese export operations. The total investment will reach $450 million across three phases.

During a recent visit to GMC, Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, alongside a team from the ministry and the Minerals Commission, stated that the project was a significant step in advancing value addition in the mining sector.

Jinapor also emphasized the significance of the GMC-China refinery project, stating it would not only boost economic prosperity but also create hundreds of jobs.

GMC’s Managing Director, Jurgen Eijgendaal, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the necessary investments for value addition, adhering to regulatory requirements, and enhancing the rail system to Takoradi Port to support product transport.