The Oti regional minister Joshua Makubu has said that iron ore has been discovered in five districts of the Oti Region. The mineral has been di
The Oti regional minister Joshua Makubu has said that iron ore has been discovered in five districts of the Oti Region.
The mineral has been discovered in the Guan, Biakoye, Jasikan, Kadjebi and Krachi East districts.
“Currently, we are at a stage – the technical people will call it mineral resource estimation – to get the actual tonnage available on the land before mining can start,” the minister told the media in Accra.
Makubu is hopeful the discovery of the mineral will boost Ghana’s economy and industrialisation drive.
“I want to advise people in Accra to start looking for land in the Oti Region because what is going to take Ghana from our current state to a very industrialised nation has been found in the Oti Region and that is the iron ore,” he said.
Investor interest
There is already collaboration between the Ghana Integrated Iron Ore Development and the Geological Service Department for further arrangements on the discovery pending the mining of the natural resource.
The minister added that private investors have also begun committing funds towards the commercialisation of the mineral.
“If you want to establish a steel company, don’t be focusing too much on Tema. Come to the Oti Region,” he said.
The Ghana Geological Survey Authority led the discovery of large quantities of iron ore deposits. The iron ore is 55.22 weight percent and of a higher grade.
Makubu said the government is poised to provide value to the raw commodity and would ensure that the full value chain is retained in the region and country at large.
In December last year, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor toured some of the iron ore deposit in the Oti region.
He described the discovery of the iron ore in commercial quantities as ”good news” and urged the chiefs and people to work in harmony to drive development to the area.
He maintained that the exploration and the business of the Iron will create jobs and wealth for the people of Oti and the country in general.
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