According to Oti Regional Minister Joshua Makubu, iron ore has been found in five of the region’s districts.
The district of Guan, Biakoye, Jasikan, Kadjebi, and Krachi East are where the mineral has been found.
“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 industrialized nation has been found in the Oti Region and that is the iron ore,” he said.
Investor interest
The Ghana Integrated Iron Ore Development and the Geological Service Department are already working together to make additional preparations about the finding before the natural resource is mined.
The minister also mentioned that private investors have started allocating money for the mineral’s commercialization.
“If you want to establish a steel company, don’t be focusing too much on Tema. Come to the Oti Region,” he said.
Large-scale iron ore resources were first uncovered by the Ghana Geological Survey Authority. The grade of the iron ore is higher and it contains 55.22 weight percent.
According to Makubu, the government is prepared to add value to the raw material and will make sure that the entire value chain is preserved throughout the area and the entire nation.
Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, visited some of the iron ore deposits in the Oti region in December of last year.
He hailed the finding of the iron ore as “wonderful news” and urged the leaders and populace to cooperate to spur development in the region.
He insisted that the Iron’s investigation and commercialization will benefit the entire nation, including the inhabitants of Oti, by generating riches and employment.
