Ghana is on the cusp of a major industrial breakthrough as plans progress for the construction of the country’s first manganese refinery in Nsuta-Tarkwa, a project expected to reshape the future of its mining industry.
The bold initiative follows a six-day working visit by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to China from June 28 to July 3, 2025. He visited Tianyuan Manganese Industry (TMI), the parent company of the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC), which operates the century-old Nsuta manganese mine.
For decades, Ghana has exported raw manganese ore to TMI’s refineries in China. But under the government’s new value addition policy, the model is shifting, starting with a state-of-the-art Manganese Refinery Plant (MRP) to be established locally. Once operational, the facility will:
• Upgrade manganese ore quality from 27% to over 40%
• Produce battery-grade and other high-value manganese products for export
• Create skilled jobs for Ghanaians
• Boost foreign exchange earnings and tax revenue
• Stimulate economic growth in Tarkwa and surrounding communities
During the visit, TMI reaffirmed its commitment to the Ghana refinery project and submitted key proposals to enhance feasibility. These include raising the production cap from 5 to 10 million tonnes annually, access to competitively priced gas (USD 4/MMBtu), tax exemptions on equipment, and income tax incentives for the refinery’s initial phase.
Hon. Buah and his delegation toured TMI’s vast 56-square-kilometer industrial complex in China, which includes:
• A Building Material Park powered by refinery by-products
• A Logistics Park handling manganese from Ghana and other sources
• A Manganese Refinery Park with three plants producing high-grade manganese
• An Eco-Park showcasing TMI’s environmental responsibility
Impressed by the advanced technology and sustainable practices, Hon. Buah expressed Ghana’s readiness to fast-track inter-ministerial engagements to support the project. “Collaborative efforts like these,” he said, “are essential for driving industrial growth, unlocking value from our minerals, and positioning Ghana as a leader in mineral beneficiation in Africa.”
The Nsuta-Tarkwa refinery stands as a symbol of a deepening Ghana-China partnership and a significant step in Ghana’s industrialisation agenda. With strategic planning, cutting-edge technology, and policy support converging, the project signals a new era for Ghana’s mining and manufacturing sectors.
