Radio Progress News first radio station in the Upper West Region
Ghana opened its first commercial gold refinery in Accra, the capital, on Thursday.
This is part of an effort by Africa’s leading gold producer to add value and earn more from the precious metal, which has been mined for centuries.
The Royal Ghana Gold Refinery, with capacity to process 400 kilogrammes (kg) of gold per day, will source gold dore from small-scale and artisanal miners before acquiring licenses to process gold from large-scale miners.
The refinery is a partnership between Rosy Royal Minerals of India and Ghana’s central bank, with a 20% stake.
Speaking at the opening, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said the launch of Royal Gold Refinery marked “a new era” that would help contain gold smuggling and raise national earnings from the precious metal.
The refinery will employ 80-120 people directly and create 500 indirect jobs, said Bawumia, who is running for president in the December polls.
Ghana retained its spot as Africa’s biggest gold producer last year, as increased production from small-scale and artisanal miners pushed output to 4.03 million ounces.
The West African nation, which is also the world’s number two cocoa producer, is on track to beat its 2024 gold output target, with production seen between 4.3 million and 4.5 million ounces.
