At least one of two firms licensed to process minerals will soon start operations. According to Vice President, John Mahama the licensing of the two companies forms part of government’s plans to add value to the country’s minerals. Even though Ghana has produced gold and other precious metals for decades, it has mainly been exported unrefined thus unable to attract premium value. Vice President Mahama was speaking at the launch of the Great Consolidated Diamonds Mine at Akwatia yesterday. Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited, a wholly owned Ghanaian company intends to invest one hundred million dollars over the next five years. The investment is expected to generate about 50,000 jobs.