Goldridge Ghana Limited (GGL), one of Ghana’s leading exporters of precious minerals, has officially signed an agreement to do business with the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM).
The collaboration to focus on local value-addition of gold is expected to maximise Ghana’s stake in the gold business, create decent employment opportunities for the youth and promote environmental sustainability in mining communities.
Speaking to Citi Business News, the Chairman of GGL, Dr. Sledge Nana Yaw Duodu, said small scale miners contribute approximately one-third of Ghana’s total output of gold, gaining them a significant position in the business which needs to be harnessed to achieve its full potential for the benefit of the people involved and the nation at large.
He said the agreement will enable members of GNASSM to take full advantage of Goldridge’s new gold refinery in Accra for value-addition instead of exporting raw minerals overseas.
Mr. Duodu said Goldridge will stay true to its commitment to contribute to the development of the small scale mining sector through the promotion of global best-practices to boost the image of Ghana on the world market.
The General Secretary of GNASSM, Godwin Amarh, said Goldridge will facilitate the training of members of the Association as well as the provision of modern equipment to promote ethical mining and compliance with industry regulations.
Mr. Armah said the collaboration between the two entities will also enable members of the local association of jewellers to increase their production capacity to meet demand both locally and internationally.
Registered in 2015, Goldridge Ghana Limited in 2019 exported 1.2 tonnes of gold worth over 50 million, placing it Number 1 on the list of top Ghanaian indigenous gold exporting companies.
The company’s new refinery in Accra, which is currently under construction, will become the second-largest on the African continent, capable of refining 1 ton of gold in a day.