GBC Targets 6m Tons Of Bauxite … Invests US$122m In Infrastructure

Extraction of Bauxite

Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) aims to produce 6 million tons of bauxite by the end of 2025.

To achieve this, GBC has invested US$122.97 million in infrastructure upgrades. This includes acquiring new equipment like surface miners, haulage trucks, and excavators.

The Awaso Mine concession spans 47.04 square kilometers. It follows a 30-year Mining Lease covering several areas including Subri and Inchiniso. GBC has operated the Inchiniso pit since 1969, producing high-grade trihydrate bauxite.

Since bauxite was discovered in Ghana in 1921, the average annual Run of Mine (ROM) is about 2.5 million metric tons. In 2022, Bosai Group transferred its 80% shareholding to Ofori-Opoku Company Limited (OPCL). The Government of Ghana retains a 20% share.

At a press briefing in Awaso, General Manager Mr. Alexander Gyedu discussed GBC's expansion plans. He noted that increased production will positively impact the local economy. Production volumes have risen from 1.3 million tons to about 1.8 million tons annually.

Mr. Gyedu credited this increase to OPCL's takeover from Bosai Group in 2022. OPCL has replaced old equipment with new machinery for better efficiency.

The company acquired significant new equipment:
- 42 earth-moving machines
- 52 dump trucks
- One surface miner
- Additional light-duty vehicles

A second surface miner is expected by June 2025. GBC also added various trucks to boost production capacity and exports.

The Haulage department improved significantly under OPCL’s management. The fleet now includes a total of 161 nine-axle trucks, increasing haulage operations from around 600,000 tons in 2022 to about 1.7 million tons in 2024.

Mr. Gyedu assured that GBC prioritizes environmentally responsible mining practices as it works towards its production target of six million tons by the end of next year.

He emphasized that new technology will help reduce environmental impact while maintaining corporate social responsibility commitments.

GBC adheres strictly to ecological regulations and submits reports to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This demonstrates their commitment to transparency and accountability regarding environmental stewardship.

The EPA collaborates with GBC to ensure compliance with environmental regulations aligned with government goals for sustainable development.

GBC’s Success Story

In 2022, Isaac Ofori Poku acquired approximately an 80% stake in GBC at Awaso, marking a milestone for Ghana's mining industry.

This acquisition shifted majority ownership to a local entity and aimed at reducing unemployment rates locally and nationally.

Since then, GBC increased its contract staff from 465 to over a thousand employees—976 males and 85 females—boosting local employment opportunities significantly.

In early projections for next year, GBC expects record exports of bauxite ore totaling around 1.8 million metric tons to China and other regions worldwide.

This achievement reflects IOP’s vision as a wholly Ghanaian-owned entity under dynamic management committed to future success.