Cardinal Namdini mine pours first gold in November

Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited (CNML), a Chinese large-scale gold mining firm operating in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region, is ready to pour its first gold by the first week of November, this year. 

Having completed the required infrastructure and facilities to pave the way for commercial gold mining in the area, the project will come to life when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurates it in a couple of weeks.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, who paid a working visit to the company ahead of the official gold-pour, said the subsidiary of Shandong Gold would become one of the largest single stream gold mines in West Africa and the largest single stream mine in Ghana.

"In the first week of November, President Akufo-Addo will be visiting this mine to commission the project and pour the first gold”.

“It is going to be one of the largest mines in West Africa and will further consolidate Ghana’s status as the leading gold producer in Africa," he said.

Mr Jinapor added that the CMML project would also strengthen the country’s position as the mining hub on the continent.

The CNML project is an open-cast (surface) gold mine in the Talensi District with an initial life span of 15 years.

The company has a mining lease to undertake surface mining for 15 years in the concession area, with the target to excavate 150 million tonnes of ore, out of which five million ounces of gold is expected within the 15-year period.

CNML has already invested about $600 million in the construction and resettlement phase of the project.

Great achievement

Mr Jinapor described the completion of preparatory work on the Namdini gold project as a major step towards leveraging the country’s gold resources for sustainable development.

He said the project would not only create job opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for residents of the host communities, but it would also boost the local and national economy.

The minister also commended CNML for the timely investment in the project.

"The first time I came here, everything was green and a virgin area; the second time I came, I was here to inaugurate the resettlement community; but today, I must commend this company for doing a wonderful work with this mining project," he said.

The Lands and Natural Resources Minister said the project was "truly momentous, exciting and a huge investment" that would contribute hugely to the national economy.

Mr Jinapor commended the company for working closely with the Minerals Commission and other stakeholders to bring the project to fruition.

He urged the management of the company to work closely with the relevant stakeholders to get maximum benefits from the project in the medium to long-term.

"This is a greenfield mine that has been built from scratch, and it shows how we can achieve greatness and sustainable development by working together, so let us continue to work for our collective good," Mr Jinapor said.

Worthy investment

For his part, the Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area, Tongranaa Kugbilsong Nanlebeglang, said the investment by CMML was crucial as it would open the area to development.

He assured the company that the chiefs and people in the area would support their operations for their mutual benefit.

The traditional ruler said the mining project would be a game- changer for the country and the residents of the Talensi District.

He urged the company to ensure that all the corporate social responsibility agreements put before it by the host communities were fulfilled.

The Tongranaa Nanlebeglang also underscored the need for strict adherence to environmental regulations in the mining operations.