Western Regional minister tours Ghana Manganese Company for investment talks

Ghana Manganese Company’s managing director, Sun Yuanwei, has a specific vision for the Takoradi Port. Ships will arrive carrying mining equipment. They will leave loaded with refined ore.

Sun outlined the plan during a working visit from Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson to GMC’s operations in Tarkwa on Tuesday. The visit was part of Nelson’s broader engagement with mining companies in the region, aimed at strengthening ties between the Western Regional Coordinating Council and the industry.

GMC is in talks with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to secure a concession at the port. The arrangement would support the company’s future operations and increase commercial activity at the facility.

“We want to work together with GPHA so that Takoradi Port becomes busy again. Our ships will not come empty; they will come with equipment and return with refined ores,” Sun said.

The port plan is one of three investment proposals Sun put to the minister. GMC is also in discussions with the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) about reviving rail services that link mining communities. Sun said an efficient railway would reduce the pressure of heavy-duty mining traffic on Ghana’s roads and restore an important part of the country’s industrial transport infrastructure.

The third proposal is a manganese refinery. Sun described it as a major step toward increasing local value addition in the mining sector. Refining manganese locally would reduce dependence on exporting raw ore and create additional economic opportunities, he said.

“The refinery will not only add value to our ores but also expand revenues for the country. Most importantly, we will create opportunities for high-skilled employment and support the vision of changing the mining sector in Ghana,” Sun said.

GMC is expanding its mining operations and improving production capacity. Sun said the growth would contribute to job creation and stimulate economic activity in host communities.

Nelson made GMC the first stop on his itinerary in Tarkwa. Sun acknowledged the distinction.

“We are very honoured that the first company the Honourable Minister is coming to visit in Tarkwa is GMC,” he said.

Nelson commended GMC’s management for sustaining operations and contributing to the region’s economic development. He noted the company’s long-standing presence in the Western Region and praised its efforts to maintain and expand production.

“GMC has been around for many years, and to keep it going the way you have done is commendable. Let me commend you and your team for your efforts,” he said.

The minister called the proposed refinery an important development for Ghana’s efforts to extract greater value from its mineral resources. He said local processing could also reduce the pressure of heavy mining haulage on roads, particularly along the Tarkwa-Takoradi corridor.

“Building a refinery is about adding value to the raw materials we have been producing over the years. It will also take off the load on our roads, which is a major challenge for us as a region,” Nelson stated.

He welcomed the proposed railway revival too. The return of rail services could improve transportation and stimulate economic activity in communities along the railway corridor, he said.

Nelson urged GMC and other mining companies to deepen their engagement with the Western Regional Coordinating Council. He said interaction should not be limited to regulatory agencies. Mining activities directly affect host communities, infrastructure and regional development, he argued.

“Do not wait until you have challenges before you knock on our doors. We are your landlords, and your security and other support systems are also connected to the region,” the minister said.

Nelson assured GMC of the council’s support as the company pursues initiatives to expand operations, promote local value addition and contribute to economic growth in the Western Region.

According to 3News.