The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has observed that the landscape of the mining industry is evolving rapidly, and Ghana must position itself strategically to harness the opportunities presented by this dynamic sector.

He made the observation during the 8th Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference, hosted by the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) under the chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Richard Amankwah.

He stated that the country must continue to develop innovative measures that will promote sustainable mining practices while protecting the environment, and contributing to national development.

He stressed that by harnessing the power of innovation, Ghana could  maximize efficiency, reduce waste, and create a knowledge-driven mining sector.

He mentioned that technology is essential for Ghana to address the historical environmental and social challenges associated with mining, promote energy efficiency, and build a circular economy. “It is through innovation that we can increase production, and add more value to the minerals we produce,” he said.

The Minister said the conference had created a unique platform for all stakeholders to examine some of the most important issues in the mining industry, particularly the role of technology and innovation in building a green, sustainable and safe mining industry.

He called on industry players and academia to assess past and current mining practices in relation to the industry Ghana seeks to build.

“More importantly, it is a call to broaden our frontiers and scale up research to develop affordable and innovative technologies to promote green and sustainable mining and mineral processing,” he added.

Touching on the topic “Critical Minerals: Ghana’s Preparedness for Value Addition,” he stressed that it is crucial today, given the prime role critical minerals play in the green energy transition.

He indicated that these critical minerals, often rare and geologically complex, underpin the transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy.

He disclosed that his ministry was in the final stages of laying before Parliament a Legislative Instrument, pursuant to Section 28 of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation Act, 2018 (Act 976), to restrict the export of bauxite in its raw state.

He hopes that this Instrument would be passed before the current Parliament’s tenure ends on January 6, 2025.

The Minister said he and his team had also concluded negotiations with the majority shareholder of Ghana Manganese Company, adding that the President would soon cut the sod for work to commence on a US$450,000,000 manganese refinery at Nsuta.

He said the refinery would upgrade the quality of Ghana’s manganese from the current 27% to about 40%, leading to the production and export of various refined products, including battery-grade manganese, one of the key components for the production of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

“We must invest in infrastructure, technology, and human capital to support the development of a robust minerals value chain. Institutions such as the University of Mines and Technology should continue to promote research and development and institute appropriate skills and training programs to produce the requisite capacities and facilities necessary to build and manage processing plants to add value to the critical minerals we produce,” he stressed.

He urged participants to let this conference serve as a renewal of the commitment of all stakeholders in the mining industry to work together towards realizing Ghana’s potential as  hub of mineral processing and beneficiation.

He added: “Ghana is, indeed, prepared for value addition to our critical minerals, and this preparedness rests on collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices. Let us, therefore, work together to unlock the full potential of our mineral wealth, ensuring prosperity for all Ghanaians”.