The construction of Ghana's first manganese refinery is set to begin in August, according to Samuel Abu Jinapor, the minister of lands and natural resources, reports Daily Graphic. 

The refinery, expected to cost $450mn, will be established by Ningxia Tianyuan Manganese Industry Group Company Limited (TMI), the Chinese parent company of Ghana Manganese Company (GMC), near the latter's Nsuta mine in the Western region.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Ghanaian government to add value to green minerals, particularly manganese, essential for manufacturing batteries used in EVs.

“And to ensure that Ghanaians, who are, by our national constitution, the owners of our mineral resources, benefit fully from these resources, we are putting in place measures to promote beneficiation and value addition, as well as local content and local participation in the sector,” Jinapor said.

Speaking at the opening of the 17th West African Mining and Power Conference and Exhibition (WAMPOC/WAMPEX) on June 5 in Accra, the minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance local resource processing, including a 400kg capacity gold refinery constructed through a public-private partnership.

In 2023, Ghana was the fourth-largest global producer of manganese ore, exporting over 4mn tonnes. However, the country lacks refining capacity, with 95% of its ore being exported to China.

TMI, a diversified industrial group involved in ore mining, metallurgy, and chemicals, holds a significant share in Consmin, overseeing the Nsuta mine. Its involvement in both the EV battery and alloy sectors suggests a strategic investment in its current supply chain.