The Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) says plans are underway for the establishment of a $450 million manganese refinery plant within the Tarkwa enclave of its Mine, near Nsuta in the Western Region.  

The Deputy Managing Director of GMC, Mr Sun Yuanwei, who announced this when the GMC, in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and Cosco Shipping Lines welcomed and inaugurated the largest bulk carrier vessel to ever berth in any West African Waters to the Takoradi Port.  

He stated that the establishment of the plant formed part of the GMC’s operational strategies to leave a lasting positive impact through sustainable resource management, environmental stewardship, and local content development. 

He said the facility would help create jobs for the youth and improve upon the socioeconomic development of Ghana.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, speaking to journalists on the side-lines said the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government signed a deal with the GMC to establish the manganese refinery plant to add value to the raw material.  

He said: “What we want the ships to be carrying out of the shores of the country are refined manganese, and so what we are demanding from the company is to start building the refinery.” 

He said the country would continue losing substantial revenue if the company continued to export raw manganese, “so we have to be smart now and insist that the refinery be built.” 

Nana Kobina Nketiah V, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, said the adding value to raw materials was one of the surest ways to rope in more revenues for the government, create jobs for the youth, and foster community development.  

He, therefore, welcomed GMC’s plans to establish the refinery, and asked them to ensure the project was delivered on time to help boost local developmen