Ghana Bauxite Company deploys methods to mitigate environmental impact of operations

The Ghana Bauxite Company is expanding its surface mining operations to mitigate the impact of its operations on the environment.

The present drill and blast method is expected to ease to allow for surface mining which has less negative effect on the environment.

The drill and blast operations, which is largely used in the mining of bauxite, produce air and noise pollution that negatively impact the environment.

Until the new administration took over the Ghana Bauxite Company, operations largely depended on drill and blast methods, with attendant risks.

The new investors are shifting to the surface mining of bauxite as a more environmentally friendly operation.

General Manager for Ghana Bauxite Company, Alexander Gyedu, speaking at the commissioning of a Community Relations Office, “This transition aims to enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, enhance resource recovery and reinforce our commitment to sustainability.”

According to the company, delivering premium bauxite through sustainable mining practices remains a priority.

“The company is committed to leveraging decades of experience to responsibly extract and deliver high quality bauxite ore while upholding the highest standards of safety, operational excellence environmental stewardship, job creation, community engagement and leaving a lasting positive impact in the lives of the people in our catchment area whiles contributing to national development efforts of the government of Ghana,” Mr. Gyedu emphasized.

The Ghana Bauxite Company has emphasized dedication to all proper mining practices that contribute to the conservation of the environment.

Investments

The Ofori Poku Company Limited, after securing eighty percent shares in GBC, has invested 122.98 million dollars into the company to improve efficiency and ensure environmental protection.

The investments made is aimed at increasing production to six million tonnes by close of 2025.

The transition of operations to surface mining has increased production volumes to 1.8 million tonnes in 2024, from 1.2 million tonnes per annum.

The US$122.98 million investment was used in the purchase of robust fleet of equipment such as the surface miner, haulage trucks, dump trucks, excavators and retooling of existing plant and machinery.

Upon the takeover of GBC by OPCL, the company had 33 earthmoving equipment with nine dump trucks, 7 utilities and 3 light duty vehicles.

Most of the inherited equipment were in poor condition.

According to the General Manager, Alexander Gyedu, by the end of February 2025, the new investors “acquired 42 new earth moving equipment, 52 new dump trucks, 16 new utilities, one surface miner and 35 new light duty vehicles.”

Other machinery procured include, “2 newrollers, tractor slasher, among others for mining purposes.  The second surface miner is expected in Ghana by end of June”.

New fleet of trucks have also been procured to boost the haulage of bauxite to the port.

From the 80 fleet of 9 axle trucks inherited for haulage, additional 161 fleet of the same trucks have been procured.

“We have also secured a service van for the haulage department. The acquisition of new trucks has largely contributed to improving haulage operations from around 600,000 tonnes in 2022 to about 1,700,000 tons of bauxite in 2024. It is important to note that, additional tonnage was hauled by a private transporter in 2024”, Mr. Gyedu added.

Aside from the Awaso Mine, the Company has operations in Takoradi where some investments were made by the largest shareholder, OPCL.

From the retooling, the company has procured three Cat 990’s of 23 ton capacity, one cat 992 of 25 ton capacity, a staff bus, 715 KVA generator, four dozers among others.

The company indicated, “We have constructed containerized office, partnered with SGS and established on-site laboratory, secured a twelfth (12) acre land to serve as a secondary stockpile area among others.”

Staff Welfare

In the area of staff welfare, the company maintains significant investments have been made to improve capacity and enhance efficiency.

The previous management of the company Bonsai Minerals Group left behind 483 employees. To improve production, the number was increased to 1,158.

In response to gender equity, the company has increased the female employees from 31 in 2022 to 85 currently as a deliberate action to empower women and ensure gender mainstreaming in their operations.

Mr. Gyedu commenting on issues of staff welfare explained, “As at 2021, most of the employees were outsourced staff, this status was changed into Contract staff and they were roped into the mainstream workforce of the company”.

“OPCL then resolved most of the issues that had to do with the outsourced staff with the introduction of salary structure that brought sanity in the salary administration system. The same structure ensured that the salaries of workers were increased beyond 300 % in 2023 and by 35% in 2024,” he added.

The company has further insisted on commitment towards providing job opportunities for persons within the catchment.

Already, ninety percent of staff were recruited from the mine’s catchment.

Corporate Social Responsibility

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility, the company is providing learning opportunities to students within the catchment area. Some students have received national service and attachment opportunities.

“In 2023/2024, the company took 74 national service personnel out of which 30 were retained and given employment. Similarly, the company has taken 82 national service personnel this year”, the company has said.

General Manager, Alexander Gyedu says the company supported the construction of Awaso chiefs Palace.

“The company has supported the Bibiani Ahwiaso Police Divisional Command for the construction of their office complex. The company has supported the construction of Takoradi Military 2BN swimming pool”, he said.

The company has extended support to annual festivities of the chiefs and people in catchment communities.

“Boreholes at Atronsu, Construction of a bridge in Akonsu are among areas the company has supported”, Mr. Gyedu added.

To enhance synergy between GBC and catchment communities, a Community Relations Office has been opened to liaise between the catchment and the mine.

“Clearly this is in line with our fifth core values, community, and signifies one of the things we cherish and believe in as a company. Our operations aims to fostering local development, providing economic opportunities, and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships. This Community Relations Office is an indication of these commitments”, the General Manager of GBC said.

Though the community believes the project is long overdue, they are excited about the anticipated impact.

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