The Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC) has invested a substantial US$122.97 million in upgrading its infrastructure and operational efficiencies, to meet its ambitious target of producing six million tonnes of bauxite by the end of the year.
Consequently, the company has acquired a robust fleet of equipment, including surface miners, haulage trucks, dump trucks, excavators, and retooling of existing plant and machinery.
In 2024, Ghana Bauxite Company Limited, Awaso, exported a record 1.8 million metric tonnes of bauxite ore to China and other parts of the world.
The company is expecting the delivery of a second surface miner by the end of June 2025.
The General Manager of GBC, Mr Alexander Gyedu, in a press briefing at Awaso in the Western North Region, said the company’s production volumes had already seen a significant boost.
“As GBC works towards achieving its production target of 6 million tonnes by the end of 2025, the company remains committed to environmentally responsible mining practices. The acquisition of new equipment and technology is expected to reduce the company’s environmental footprint,” he explained.
“The use of both surface mining and drill and blast methods has increased production from 1.3 million tonnes per annum to about 1.8 million tonnes in 2024,” he added.
Mr Gyedu attributed this historic production milestone to Ofori- Poku Company Limited’s (OPCL) takeover from Bosai Group in 2022 that has brought about significant changes, including the replacement of old and dilapidated equipment.
As of February 2025, OPCL had acquired 42 new earth-moving equipment, 52 new dump trucks, 16 new utilities, one surface miner, and 35 new light-duty vehicles, among others.
The Haulage department has also seen significant improvements, with OPCL adding 161 fleet of 9-axle trucks since taking over in 2022, leading to a substantial increase in haulage operations, from around 600,000 tonnes in 2022 to about 1.7 million tonnes of bauxite in 2024.
GBC’s plans to expand its operations and increase production are expected to have a positive impact on the local economy.
The company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmentally responsible mining practices is a testament to its dedication to sustainable development.
It is recalled that in 2022, Isaac Ofori Poku (IOP), a visionary Ghanaian businessman, acquired approximately 80 per cent shares of Ghana Bauxite Company Limited at Awaso in the Western North Region, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s mining industry.
This acquisition transferred majority ownership of the company to a local entity, paving the way for a new era of success.
Under IOP’s leadership, Ghana Bauxite Company Limited has undergone a remarkable transformation. One of the major visions of Mr Ofori Poku was to reduce the unemployment rate in the catchment areas and Ghana at large.
As a result, the company had increased its contract staff strength from 465 to 1,061 employees, with 976 males and 85 females. This significant increase in employment opportunities has had a positive impact on the local economy.
In addition to creating jobs, IOP has also invested heavily in acquiring new and sophisticated equipment to boost production. The company has acquired 56 new equipment and 198 new trucks, including Sino trucks, RDT trucks, TX 400 dump trucks, and Howo 371 trucks. This significant investment has enabled the company to increase its production capacity and export more bauxite ore.
BY TIMES REPORTER
