Ghana plans to build its first alumina refinery in the country to promote the construction of the aluminum production chain

Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC) has reached a cooperation agreement with Greek company Mytilineos Energy to build an alumina refinery in the Nyinahin MPasaaso region of Ghana. This is the first alumina refinery in Ghana, marking the end of decades of bauxite export practices and a shift towards local processing of bauxite. The produced alumina will become an important raw material for the VALCO electrolytic aluminum smelter. The project is expected to produce at least 5 million tons of bauxite and approximately 2 million tons of alumina annually. This project is one of the four sub projects of the GIADEC Integrated Aluminum Industry (IAI) project. The implementation of the IAI project involves expanding two existing businesses (expanding Awaso's existing mine and renovating and expanding the VALCO smelter) and developing two additional businesses through a joint venture partnership (developing two mines in Nyinahin MPasaaso and one mine in Kyebi and constructing corresponding refineries) to complete the production and construction of the entire aluminum value chain. Mytilineos Energy, as a strategic partner, will participate in the entire value chain of mining, refining, smelting, and downstream industries and hold no less than 30% of the shares in the new IAI joint venture.