The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and its international partners, Mytilineos S.A, have reaffirmed their commitment to a long-standing and healthy relationship with host communities as they begin bauxite production in Nyinahin-Mpasaaso of the Ashanti Region. 

The companies are set to begin the exploration of bauxite in the Project 3 of the Nyinahin concession which would last at least 6 months to project estimations of the bauxite reserves. 

While assuring local participation in the prospecting phase of the project, the bauxite company emphasized on strategizing to elevate the economic and social statuses of the host communities and rake in more revenue for the country.

The Nyinahin-Mpasaaso hills are estimated to be Ghana’s largest bauxite reserve with ten hills stretching through the concession.

As part of their multiple initiatives, GIADEC and its strategic partner, Mytilineos S.A. are ready to commence exploration of bauxite in the Nyinahin community in the Ashanti region. 

At an official launch of the project in the Apenamadi township, the companies introduced the project and its prospective benefits to the host communities. 

Traditional and local government authorities implored them to include local content during both the prospecting and mining phases of the project. 

Chief Executive for GIADEC, Michael Ansah emphasized a commitment to a long-term relationship with the Nhyinahini Community. 

According to him, this partnership will ensure an enhancement of the local business community through training, skills development, and job opportunities. 

"This is going to be a long term relationship and I'm glad that the community has welcomed us. The partnership means that every arm of this relationship needs to be strengthened. 

A key arm is the business community here,the training, the skills development that we will bring here , it is the people here that will have the opportunity to bid for various work that will happen whether it is prospecting face or the mining face,” he said. 

He continued that: “There will be a lot of work that we have earmarked for local content to make sure that they are part of what is going on. Giadec and Mitillineous are not going to bring people from Accra or from Greece to come and do drilling. It will be people from here that will be employed ti do that kind of work”.

The project, under the Integrate Aluminium Industry, is expected to develop an entire value chain of the aluminum industry, from bauxite mining to alumina refining and eventually aluminium production.

Bantamahene and traditional superintendent of the concession, Baffour Owusu Amankwaatia VI stressed on the need for the refinery plant. 

He emphasized that this refinery would not only generate employment opportunities but also contribute to Ghana's self-reliance.

"It is my wish that you set up a refinery unit. We get the bauxite and we exploit it overseas for a much bigger revenue and then we go back, and import the aluminum for VALCO to process it into aluminum and that is what we don't want. What we want now is a refinery that will create jobs and make Ghana independent," he emphasised. 

In both the exploration and mining phases the Mytilineos Energy and Metals assured environmental protection regulations will be upheld.

Spokesperson for Mitillineous S.A, Demitri Kakahohas, reiterated the company’s commitment to safeguarding the environment while stimulating sustainable development and economic activities.

"We are guided by the same commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.  Our initiatives and aim is to empower a lot of communities to create job opportunities and stimulate economic activities but at the same time, we are dedicated to preserving the environment and the natural beauty of this area for other generations," he said.