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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo last Friday inaugurated Cardinal Namdini Limited in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region, taking Ghana a significant step towards solidifying its position as Africa’s leading gold producer.
The occasion also marked the first pouring of gold and the official opening by the President with operationalisation of Cardinal Namdini, making it the largest single-stream mine in the West African sub-region.
• President Akufo-Addo (middle) with other dignitaries pressing a button to open the Cardinal Namdini Gold Mine in Talensi, Upper East Region
Cardinal Namdini, is expected to consolidate Ghana’s position as one of the world’s leading gold producers, with projections that the company will produce 300,000 ounces annually in the first three years.
In his inaugural speech, President Akufo-Addo stated that the establishment of the mine marks another great step towards positioning Ghana as a premier hub for mining activities in Africa.
He disclosed that his government, since its inception in 2017, had embarked on a mission to expand Ghana’s natural resource base and that the Ghana Geological Survey Authority had received enormous support and funding to actualise this vision.
The President stated that the setting up of Cardinal Namdini Mine was indicative of the wealth of mineral resources embedded in the northern part of the country and that these resources would be harnessed for the growth of the area and the country.
He stated that the creation of the Cardinal Namdini Mine was a significant step by the government towards fulfilling its promise to Ghanaians to create jobs and empower citizens economically.
“Today marks yet another significant milestone towards the realisation 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 said.
“This Mine we inaugurate 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.
Enumerating the achievements of the government in the mining sector, President Akufo-Addo noted that, since its inception, the government had worked diligently to create the enabling environment and legal framework for mining companies to thrive in the country.
President Akufo-Addo charged the company to adhere strictly to the country’s mining regulations and also mine within the scope of Ghana’s policies and commitments towards the environment.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel A. Jinapor, disclosed some of the measures implemented by the government to facilitate the smooth operations of large-scale mining companies in the northern part of the country and attract investors to that part of the country.
In the next couple of weeks, he disclosed, the President will cut sod for the commencement of work on the US$450 million manganese refinery at Nsuta in the Western Region, to be funded by the parent company of Ghana Manganese Company.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Tong Defa, detailed his happiness with the establishment of the mine project and commended President Akufo-Addo for his commitment to the mining industry and determination to deepen the relations between Ghana and China.
He stated that Cardinal Namdini Gold Mine which saw over $1billion dollar investment was yet another testimony to China’s commitment to be Ghana’s foremost strategic partner.
BY TIMES REPORTER
