The Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to environmental protection as it outlines ambitious plans to establish a local refinery, create jobs, and support community development.
This assurance was given by Alexander Gyedu, the General Manager of GBC, during the Western North Regional Minister’s inspection and familiarization tour of the company’s operations in Awaso.
Alexander Gyedu emphasized that GBC is fully law-abiding and operates under all necessary regulatory permits.
“Ghana Bauxite, for the past 80 years, has not done anything harmful to the environment. We work in full compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and have secured a reclamation bond to cover any environmental impact from our surface mining,” he said.
To further minimize environmental impact, GBC has initiated efforts to phase out drilling and blasting operations by introducing three additional surface miners.
“These steps are aimed at eliminating more invasive extraction methods to reduce harm to catchment communities,” Gyedu added.
The company has also been actively supporting the government’s reforestation initiative. “Just three hours ago, I received a letter from the Forestry Commission’s District Manager requesting support for the District Chief Executive’s tree planting agenda. Ghana Bauxite is fully committed to this initiative,” he noted.
Areas affected by mining activities are set to be reclaimed and reforested in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and other stakeholders.
On the economic front, Gyedu announced plans to invest in a bauxite refinery to add value to Ghana’s natural resources.
According to him, the lack of refining capacity currently limits the country’s ability to fully benefit from its bauxite reserves.
“If we had a refinery, we could process bauxite with even 47% alumina content, which is currently considered substandard for export. This would reduce export rejection rates and allow us to generate more revenue locally,” he explained.
He stressed that refining bauxite domestically would contribute significantly to the national GDP, boost job creation, increase tax revenue, and stimulate local development. “It aligns with Ghana’s industrialization and value-addition agenda,” Gyedu said.
GBC has already identified a site for the refinery and initiated consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Water Resources Commission, Forestry Commission, and Lands Commission.
“We are in the process of securing the land. The Valuation Department is currently assessing the value of properties on the site. Once the valuation report is ready, we will compensate affected families and commence the project,” Gyedu announced.
He revealed that the area earmarked for the refinery covers between 2,500 and 3,000 square kilometers. GBC plans to invite government and stakeholders to a sod-cutting ceremony once preparations are finalized.
Gyedu expressed optimism about the company’s longstanding relationship with stakeholders and reiterated its readiness to cooperate with regulatory bodies and the community. “We are here not just to mine, but to develop. Together, we can transform the Western North Region and Ghana at large,” he concluded.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
