Shandong Gold Group, a state-owned Chinese gold mining company under the provincial government of Shandong, has announced its ambitious plan to commence gold production at the Namdini project in Talensi, located in the Upper East Region of Ghana, before the end of next year.
The company is also set to construct a new airport in Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region, aimed to significantly improve transportation to and from the region, enhance economic prospects, and create numerous job opportunities.
The General Manager of Shandong Gold Group, Hang Li, said this when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, paid a working visit to the head office of the Shandong Gold Group in Jinan, a city in the Shandong Province of China
Mr Li noted that the company’s strategic plan had always been to pour gold by the fourth quarter of 2024. He indicated that the company’s management in China was working with the team in Ghana to ensure that it delivers on this commitment, saying “discussions are underway with the relevant stakeholders”.
The company is the largest mining company in China, and has been ranked among the top ten global gold enterprises for two consecutive years. Its project in Ghana, the Cardinal Namdini project, is currently at the construction stage, and it is projected that the mine will produce approximately 1.1 million ounces of gold in the first three years, making it the third-largest mine in the country.
Mr. Li, who also serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, said the Cardinal Namdini project is a very important endeavor for the company. He added that the company is committed to replicating its green mining practices in Ghana to create a model mine, serving as a reference point for the rest of Africa.
Gov’t support
In support of this initiative, the Lands Minister expressed the government’s willingness to provide all the support the company needs to ensure that gold is poured early next year. He emphasised the significance of the Namdini project for the country to maintain its position as the leading gold producer on the continent.
He also stressed the project’s potential impact on the economy of the northern part of the country, underscoring the importance of expeditious production. The Minister further called on the company’s management to provide the necessary support to the team in Ghana to fulfill their promise.
Regarding the proposed airport in Bolgatanga, Mr. Jinapor stated that it would facilitate the company’s operations and the transportation of gold. He urged the company to expedite action on this project. Additionally, he encouraged the company to invest in other mining projects in the country, including value addition, aiming to set an example for Chinese investment in Ghana.
Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Winfred Hammond, who attended the meeting with the Minister, praised the commitments made by the company. He pledged the Embassy’s unwavering support to the company to ensure that the first gold is poured next year at the Namdini mine.
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