The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has commended the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) for selecting Mytilineos S.A as one of its strategic partners to develop the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) in the country.
He said the choice of the company to specifically develop portions of Nyinahin bauxite resources and build a refinery is a giant step towards the country achieving its long cherished dream of building a comprehensive aluminium industry.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the commendation when the management of GIADEC paid courtesy call on him at Menhyia in Kumasi on Monday.
According to a statement from the GIADEC, the visit was to formally introduce Mytilineos S.A, major global metallurgy and Energy Company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, selected to develop a bauxite mine at Nyinahin as well as a refinery solutions.
He therefore, charged Mytilineos to involve the mining communities by training and engaging local artisanal talent and sub-contractors in the execution of the project.
Furthermore, he urged Mytilineos to conduct their operations in a responsible and safe manner, adding that he and his sub-chiefs would provide all the support needed for the successful implementation of the project, known as Project 3A.
Chief Executive Officer of GIADEC, Mr Michael Ansah, expressed his gratitude to Otumfuo for his continuous support for all the projects being executed under the organisation’s IAI master plan, particularly those in the Ashanti Region.
He emphasised that GIADEC’s vision was to ensure that all aspects of the bauxite value chain was fully developed, and an integrated aluminum industry established in the country.
Mr Ansah said Mytilineos had a strong commitment to the highest global standards of environmental sustainability and governance (ESG) excellence.
Mytilineos was selected through a transparent and competitive three-round investor engagement process, launched by GIADEC in 2019, that attracted interest from approximately 40 companies from across the world.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his speech at the 67th Independence Day celebrations, said GIADEC is one of the key organisations that would make “a great difference to the economic fortunes of Ghana.”
Administrative Director of Mytilineos, expressed his gratitude to the Asantehene for his support and assured of their readiness to commence operations starting with the prospecting phase where Mytilineos would be undertaking Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) to establish the bauxite quantities.
He also pledged their commitment to ensuring environmental sustainability and social responsibility, adding that “at Mytilineos, we prioritise creating value for all stakeholders. Our involvement in Ghana’s energy sector has deepened our understanding of the local environment and people. We are expanding into metals, guided by a commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.”
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
