President Akufo-Addo commissions largest single-stream gold mine

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned Ghana’s largest single gold stream mine in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.
The Project, undertaken by the Cardinal Namdini Gold Limited (CNML), a subsidiary of Shandong Gold Limited, a Chinese mining firm, is an open-cast (surface) gold mine and has an initial lifespan of 15 years.
The area is a green field – the first in Ghana, since Newmont Akyem Company poured its first gold from a green field in 2013.
It is the first project of its kind in Ghana; and one of the largest single gold mine in the West African Sub region.
The Mine is expected to generate about 150 million tonnes of ore, resulting in five million ounces of gold within the period.
Shandong Gold is one of the top 10 leading producers of gold globally, employing high level best practices and ecologically friendly technologies in mining.
Its mine in Ghana in the Talensi District is the first in Africa.
The operationalization of Cardinal Namdini, which is the largest single-stream Mine in West African sub-region, is expected to consolidate Ghana’s position as one of the world’s leading gold producers, with projections that the company will produce 300,000 oz annually in the first three years.
Speaking at the commissioning, President Akufo-Addo, said the start of the project, which signified the first pouring of the Company’s first gold was a historic milestone, which marked a new era in the mining history of the country and strengthened the relationship between China and Ghana.
He explained that although Ghana had been associated with gold mining for many years, literature and conventional teachings had made the people to believe that gold was only found in Southern Ghana.
“This mine we commission today, is evidence of the power of exploration as the lifeblood of the mining industry,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“For years, this area, and several other areas within this northern belt of our country, have only been known for small scale mining. Large scale mining firms have concentrated on the south, largely influenced by the literature that links gold only to the south of our nation.
“It is investment in exploration, that led to the construction of this mine, which we are told today, will become the third largest mine in the country, and one of the largest single stream gold mines in West African.”
President Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of government to tapping the country’s mineral resources for the development of the country and the local economies, adding that government had over the years resourced the responsible state institutions such as the Ghana Geological Service, to undertake more exploration to identify more mineable lands, and block out more lands for small scale mining.
“What we see here today, is evident of the conducive environment we have created for businesses to thrive. It is a reflection of the progressive mining policies we have been implementing since 2017, which has led to the revival of the dormant Obuasi and Bibiani Mines, the expansion of several mines, and the construction of new mines across the country,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his belief that the Mine would open up the country, particularly, the Talensi area, and the Upper East Region, for investment and accelerated growth.
This would offer a bright future of job opportunities, local infrastructure, utilities and community facilities that “stimulates local and national development that would benefit generation yet unborn”.
President Akufo-Addo, therefore, cautioned the CNML to employ best mining practices, and adhere to the all environmental and other regulatory standards, for a safe and sustainable mining operation.
“It is, also, important to work closely with the chiefs and people of this area and deliver on your corporate social responsibility commitments. It cannot be right for you to post millions of dollars of profit, while the owners of the lands that give you these resources suffer, ” the President warned.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, disclosed some of the measures implemented by the government to facilitate the smooth operations of large-scale mining companies in the northern part of the country and attract investors to that part of the country.
“I am happy to also report that aside from this mine, there is the construction of another large-scale greenfield mine in the Upper West Region by Azumah Resources. And just below the northern belt of the country, Newmont is constructing a new mine in Ahafo North.
“To meet the regulatory needs of these emerging mines, a five-story Regional Office complex for the Minerals Commission, which will be fitted with a laboratory, is currently under construction in Tamale. We have also upgraded the Bolgatanga, Wa, and Bole Offices of the Commission to Regional status, and new Regional Office complexes are being constructed in these areas. These offices will service the emerging large-scale mines in this part of the country, in addition to the regulation of small-scale mining.
Hon. Jinapor stated that his Ministry is not only focused on ensuring an upscale in gold production but is also effectively prosecuting the President’s vision of value addition to the mineral resources through the establishment of refineries across mining areas in the country.
“While working to increase production, we continue to pursue the vision of President Akufo-Addo to add value to our mineral resources and translate these volumes of minerals into wealth for the benefit of the Ghanaian people. We have, therefore, constructed and commissioned a four hundred kilogram (400kg) capacity gold refinery to refine the gold we produce, and in the next couple of weeks, the President will cut sod for the commencement of work on a $450 million manganese refinery at Nsuta in the Western Region, to be funded by the parent company of Ghana Manganese Company,” he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, detailed his happiness with the establishment of the mine project and commended President Akufo-Addo for his commitment to the mining industry and determination to deepen the relations between Ghana and China.
He noted that China has been a major trading partner of Ghana and has a huge presence in the Ghanaian mining sector with the aim of employing opportunities and helping develop the sector.
He stated that Cardinal Namdini gold mine which saw over $1 billion investment is yet another testimony to China’s commitment to be Ghana’s foremost strategic partner.
Mr Han Yaodong, Chief Executive Officer, Shandong Gold Group, said the company was known for its environmentally friendly mining practices globally and would not relent to adhere to the Ghana’s laws governing the environment.
Mr Tang Zhenjiang, Chairman and CEO of Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, said local content was being prioritised in their operations and assured the residents of more employment opportunities for the youth.
The state-owned Shandong Gold Group, one of the largest gold producers in China, is a member of the World Gold Council – the market development organisation for the gold industry.
The company, headquarted in the Shandong Province, is actively committed to best ecological mining, safety, and humanistic standards.