Minister tours Ghana’s only multi-million dollar Gold Refinery
[24th July, 2013, Accra] The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji
Inusah Fuseini on Tuesday 23rd July 2013 paid an official visit to the ultramodern office complex of Asap Vasa Company Limited, Ghana’s first and only
indigenously owned gold refinery, located at Mataheko in Accra, to familiarise
himself with the company’s operations.
The refinery purchases all of its raw gold from licenced small scale miners and
refines them to international quality standards of 999.9% fineness for the local
and international gold markets.
Mr. Fuseini was accompanied by his Technical Director in charge of Mining,
Simon Atebiya; his Director of Administration, Mrs. Gifty Biyira as well as a
Director from the National Minerals Commission, Collins Sackey.
Soon after arrival, the Minister and his team were taken on a full tour of the
multi-million dollar high capacity refinery plant which refines 100 kilograms
of gold daily into granules, coins, and bars.
In his remarks after the tour, Mr. Fuseini noted that looking at the value
addition practices of the company, its records, and the local brains behind its
establishment, the company should be commended because “they have
demonstrated that Ghanaians have the potential to take up opportunities that
will benefit the entire nation when given the chance”.
Mr Fuseini, who said he was impressed with the company’s operations and
achievements, called on the management to add more value and to brand the
gold they refine.
He said such value addition would create jobs, enhance income and boost
government revenue.
Mr Fuseini further noted that: “This is the type of partnership we are looking
for. It is possible for Ghanaians to come together to establish a business.”
He assured of Government’s support to facilitate the growth of the company
and other indigenous ones as they hold the key to the development of the
country.
He asserted that the reason why small scale mining was legalised was due to
the huge potential it held and still holds in the alleviation of poverty if
managed well, adding that with the success story of ASAP VASA, there is no