Akufo-Addo commissions Cardinal Namdini Mine in Upper East Region

Ghana has taken a major step in direction of solidifying its place as Africa’s main gold producer with the commissioning of Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd the third largest Mine within the nation

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-AGddo on Friday, November 8, 2024 witnessed the pouring of the mine’s first gold to mark the official opening within the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.

The operationalization of Cardinal Namdini, which is the biggest single-stream Mine within the West African sub-region, is anticipated to consolidate Ghana’s place as one of many world’s main gold producers, with projections that the corporate will produce 300 thousand ounces (300,000 oz) yearly within the first three years.

Delivering a speech on the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo said that the institution of the Mine marks one other nice step in direction of positioning Ghana as a premier hub for mining actions in Africa.

He disclosed that his authorities, since its inception in 2017, has launched into a mission to increase Ghana’s pure useful resource base and that the Ghana Geological Survey Authority has obtained monumental assist and funding to actualize this imaginative and prescient.

He said that the establishing of Cardinal Namdini Mine is indicative of the wealth of mineral sources embedded within the northern a part of the nation and that these sources shall be harnessed for the expansion of the world and the nation.

He believes that the creation of the Cardinal Namdini Mine is a major step by the federal government in direction of fulfilling its promise to Ghanaians to create jobs and empower residents economically.

“Today marks yet another significant milestone towards the realization of the vision to make Ghana the mining hub of Africa, where all mining and mining-related activities, from exploration to downstream production, and from research to innovation, would be centered”, he mentioned.

“This Mine we commission today is evidence of the power of exploration as the lifeblood of the mining industry. For years, this area, and several other areas within this northern belt of our country, have only been known for small-scale mining. Large-scale mining firms have concentrated on the south, largely influenced by the literature that links gold only to the south of our nation”, he added.

“It is investment in exploration that led to the construction of this mine, which we are told today will become the third largest mine in the country and one of the largest single-stream gold mines in West Africa. And I am thrilled to learn that apart from this remarkable mine, another large-scale mine is under construction in the Upper West Region.”

Enumerating the achievements of his authorities within the mining sector, President Akufo-Addo famous that his authorities has, since its inception, labored diligently to create the enabling setting and authorized framework for mining firms to thrive within the nation.

He talked about the constant and improved monetary assist of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority and the institution of places of work of the Minerals Commission in Tamale, Wa, Bolgatanga, and Bole as instructive and essential measures taken by the federal government to make Northern Ghana the face of mining within the nation.

“Since 2017, we have increased budgetary allocation to the Ghana Geological Survey Authority to undertake more exploration to identify mineable lands, both for small and large-scale mining. Additionally, we have refurbished the office of the Authority, which was commissioned by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources last week, to provide a conducive environment for staff of the Authority to carry out their operations.

“To ensure the provision of adequate resources for geological investigations, we are amending the Minerals Development Fund Act, 2016 (Act 912) to increase the allocation to the Authority from mineral royalties from eight percent (8%) to thirteen percent (13%). And from next year, God willing, the Government of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will allocate Ten Million United States Dollars (US$10,000,000.00) annually to the Authority to support their geological investigations.

The construction of New Regional and District Offices of the Minerals Commission in Tamale, Wa, Bolgatanga, and Bole couldn’t have been more timely. With this mine, and the construction of the new mine in the Upper West Region, northern Ghana is ready to become the new face of mining in Ghana, and regulatory agencies must stand ready to live up to the task and the challenge ahead.

“As we commission this mine and pour its first gold, we are fulfilling our commitment to creating a brighter future for the people of Ghana, including Talensi and its environs. It will create jobs, foster local development, and contribute significantly to both the local and national economy. It will bring about a transformative change in this area, providing opportunities for growth and development that will benefit generations to come,” he mentioned.

President Akufo-Addo charged the corporate to stick strictly to the nation’s mining laws and likewise mine throughout the scope of Ghana’s insurance policies and commitments in direction of the setting.

While commending the corporate for its promise to construct an airport within the space, President Akufo-Addo emphasised the significance of native participation and execution of developmental tasks within the space.

“It will also lead to developments in local infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and community facilities. I am informed of the commitment of the Company to construct an airport in Bolgatanga, to aid their mining operations and serve the needs of the people of the Upper East Region,” he mentioned.

“Government is ready to provide all the necessary support to the Company in this project, which will undoubtedly enhance the quality of life for local residents and support broader regional development.”

“As you commence production, Government expects that you will employ the best of mining practices and adhere to all environmental and other regulatory standards for a safe and sustainable mining operation. I am aware that your parent Company, the Shandong Gold Group, has been a global leader in key technologies for gold mining and processing, and I have no doubt that you will replicate these same standards here in Ghana,” he mentioned.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, disclosed a few of the measures applied by the federal government to facilitate the sleek operations of large-scale mining firms within the northern a part of the nation and appeal to traders to that a part of the nation.

“I am happy to also report that aside from this mine, there is the construction of another large-scale greenfield mine in the Upper West Region by Azumah Resources. And just below the northern belt of the country, Newmont is constructing a new mine in Ahafo North.

“To meet the regulatory needs of these emerging mines, a five-story Regional Office complex for the Minerals Commission, which will be fitted with a laboratory, is currently under construction in Tamale. We have also upgraded the Bolgatanga, Wa, and Bole Offices of the Commission to regional status, and new Regional Office complexes are being constructed in these areas. These offices will service the emerging large-scale mines in this part of the country, in addition to the regulation of small-scale mining.

Mr Jinapor stated that his Ministry is not only focused on ensuring an upscale in gold production but is also effectively prosecuting the President’s vision of value addition to the mineral resources through the establishment of refineries across mining areas in the country.

“While working to increase production, we continue to pursue the vision of President Akufo-Addo to add value to our mineral resources and translate these volumes of minerals into wealth for the benefit of the Ghanaian people. We have, therefore, constructed and commissioned a four hundred kilogram (400kg) capacity gold refinery to refine the gold we produce, and in the next couple of weeks, the President will cut sod for the commencement of work on a Four Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$450,000,000.00) manganese refinery at Nsuta in the Western Region, to be funded by the parent company of Ghana Manganese Company,” he mentioned.

Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, HE Tong Defa, detailed his happiness with the institution of the mine venture and recommended President Akufo-Addo for his dedication to the mining trade and dedication to deepen the relations between Ghana and China.

He famous that China has been a significant buying and selling accomplice of Ghana and has an enormous presence within the Ghanaian mining sector with the intention of using alternatives and serving to develop the sector.

He said that Cardinal Namdini gold mine which noticed over $1billion greenback funding is yet one more testimony to China’s dedication to be Ghana’s foremost strategic accomplice.

By MLNR-PR