The Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) has set plans in motion to achieve six million tonnes of bauxite production by the close of 2025.
The target comes after the investment of US$122 million in infrastructure upgrade and resolution of operational inefficiencies.
Last year, the company increased tonnage produced to 1.8 million, about 500,000 more than the quantity recorded per annum.
Following the takeover of the company by the Ofori Poku Company Limited, 122.97 million dollars of investment were made into retooling of the company.
This significant investment has enabled GBC to acquire a robust fleet of equipment, including surface miners, haulage trucks, dump trucks, excavators, and retooling of existing plant and machinery.
General Manager of GBC, Alexander Gyedu, at a press briefing at Awaso in the Western North Region, explained with the investments made “OPCL has acquired 42 new earth moving equipment, 52 new dump trucks, 16 new utilities, one surface miner and 35 new light duty vehicles, 2 new rollers, tractor slasher, among others for mining purposes alone.”
He added other equipment to boost the sustainable mining that is being procured.“The second surface miner is expected in Ghana by the end of June 2025,” he said.
The haulage department has also seen significant improvements, with OPCL adding 161 fleet of 9-axle trucks since taking over in 2022. This has led to a substantial increase in haulage operations, from around 600,000 tonnes in 2022 to about 1.7 million tonnes of bauxite in 2024.
“As GBC works towards achieving its production target of 6 million tonnes by the end of 2025, the company remains committed to environmentally responsible mining practices. The acquisition of new equipment and technology is expected to reduce the company’s environmental footprint”, Mr. Gyedu added.
The company has also announced plans to build a bauxite refinery to add value to bauxite being produced in the country.
Mr. Alexander Gyedu, in an interview with JoyNews, indicated the refinery will offer more job opportunities to the mine’s enclave.
He said discussions on land and other resources for the refinery are far advanced.
“We are setting up the refinery within the Awaso enclave so we can boost the local economy and offer more job opportunities to the people”, he indicated.
The refinery will process raw bauxite into alumina for the production of aluminum, increasing the value of the company’s output.
It is anticipated, the refining of bauxite will increase the value of the product by at least eighty percent, increasing the company’s profitability.
In 2022, Isaac Ofori Poku (IOP), a visionary Ghanaian businessman, acquired approximately 80% shares of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited at Awaso in the Western North Region, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s mining industry.
This acquisition transferred majority ownership of the company to a local entity, IOP Group, which aimed at improving the company’s fortunes.
Under IOP’s leadership, Ghana Bauxite Company Limited has seen some investments, increasing the company’s value.
One of the major visions of Mr Ofori Poku was to reduce the unemployment rate in the catchment and Ghana at large.
The company since the takeover has increased its contract staff strength from 465 to 1061 employees, with 976 males and 85 females. This significant increase in employment opportunities has had a positive impact on the local economy.
Exportation of 1.8 million tonnes of bauxite ore through the investment made by the IOP Group was an unprecedented achievement in the history of the company.
The success of the Ghana Bauxite Company Limited under IOP’s leadership is a shining example of what can be achieved when local businesses are given the opportunity to thrive.
With a dynamic and energetic management team, supported by a committed workforce, the company is poised for even greater success in the future.