Ghana has agreed to work with Russian aluminium producer Rusal on two projects aimed at expanding domestic bauxite mining and alumina processing, a move intended to strengthen the country’s aluminium industry beyond raw-material exports.
The agreement covers development of the Nyinahin deposit in the Ashanti Region, where estimated bauxite resources exceed 100 million tonnes. The partners plan annual mining capacity of up to 5 million tonnes and an alumina refinery capable of processing 1.2 million tonnes a year. The projects will be run through two joint ventures in which Rusal will hold majority stakes, while Ghanaian participation is protected under the country’s investment rules.
The deal was announced during the Russia–Africa Forum in Moscow. Ghana’s state-owned Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation says the projects could support local processing, create jobs and lead to improvements in rail and port infrastructure. Rusal says the partnership will also strengthen its access to alumina, a key input for aluminium production.
