Ghanaweb.com
Ghana’s Bauxite Under Threat
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
The operations of Ghana Bauxite Company are being disrupted as a result of the company’s inability to transport a chunk of its ore to the Takoradi Port.
The deplorable state of the Western Rail Lines is negatively affecting the company, which is a major producer of bauxite in the country.
Dan Owiredu, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, who disclosed this, noted that “the situation is so dire that the very viability of Ghana Bauxite Company, located in Awaso, about 240 kilometres from the Takoradi port, is now under serious threat. Indeed the company has been racking up losses in the last few years due largely to its inability to haul the tones of ores it produces effectively and efficiently.”
He said the state of the Western Rail Lines had compelled the company to haul the ore from its mines to the Takoradi port mainly by the more expensive road mode.
Mr. Owiredu, who was speaking at the 84th Annual General meeting of the chamber in Accra, stated that “Government has indicated in the 2012 Budget statement of its intent to reconstruct the Western Line. The mining industry waits with serious anticipation for the initiation of the project since its successful completion will bode well for other sectors of the economy as well.”
He noted that bauxite shipments reduced significantly by 22 percent from 512,208 tonnes in 2010 to 400,069 tonnes in 2011, leading to a corresponding decrease in export sales from US$15, 145,755 in 2010 to US$ 13,406,433 in 2011.
The deplorable state of the Western Rail Lines is negatively affecting the company, which is a major producer of bauxite in the country.
Dan Owiredu, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, who disclosed this, noted that “the situation is so dire that the very viability of Ghana Bauxite Company, located in Awaso, about 240 kilometres from the Takoradi port, is now under serious threat. Indeed the company has been racking up losses in the last few years due largely to its inability to haul the tones of ores it produces effectively and efficiently.”
He said the state of the Western Rail Lines had compelled the company to haul the ore from its mines to the Takoradi port mainly by the more expensive road mode.
Mr. Owiredu, who was speaking at the 84th Annual General meeting of the chamber in Accra, stated that “Government has indicated in the 2012 Budget statement of its intent to reconstruct the Western Line. The mining industry waits with serious anticipation for the initiation of the project since its successful completion will bode well for other sectors of the economy as well.”
He noted that bauxite shipments reduced significantly by 22 percent from 512,208 tonnes in 2010 to 400,069 tonnes in 2011, leading to a corresponding decrease in export sales from US$15, 145,755 in 2010 to US$ 13,406,433 in 2011.
Previous article
First Bauxite Corporation Announces Non-Brokered Private Placement
Next articleSesa Goa shareholders to vote on Sterlite merger
Grow with
AL Circle
