The Ghana Chamber of Mines has pledged its support to the government’s efforts to diversify the country’s mineral portfolio and boost value addition along the battery supply chain. This commitment follows reports of potentially mineable nickel deposits discovered in the Oti Region.
The discovery emerged from ongoing iron ore exploration activities conducted by the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) and the Ghana Geological Survey Authority.
Preliminary drill samples have revealed nickel concentrations exceeding one percent—a threshold considered commercially viable—positioning Ghana to potentially join the global race for critical minerals. Although certified laboratory results are still pending, officials have described the initial data as promising.
Speaking to Citi Business News, the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dasana Nantogmah, reaffirmed the Chamber’s readiness to collaborate with the government to explore and develop the new resource.
We need to wait for more details from the Minerals Commission to determine the size and commercial viability of the deposit. If it proves economically viable, the government has mechanisms for engaging investors, and we are prepared to support these efforts. Successfully developing this resource could diversify our portfolio, create jobs, and generate revenue to advance Ghana’s development agenda,” he stated.
Dasana Nantogmah, the Chamber’s CEO, also urged the government to scrap the Value Added Tax (VAT) on exploration activities.
Our position has always been clear: exploration is the lifeblood of mining. Without exploration, mining cannot occur. The discovery of nickel is a direct result of exploration. However, exploration companies are currently burdened with VAT on key activities like assaying and drilling. We have consistently engaged the government on the need to remove VAT to encourage more exploration,” he noted.
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