Limestone

There are four major limestone deposits in Ghana. These are Buipe, Nauli Oterkpolu and Bongo-Da deposits. Minor deposits occur at various parts of the country. Since 1916 when the Buipe limestone was discovered thus leading to subsequent ones, various geological exploratory works have been carried out at different periods leading to the mining of the Oterkpolu deposit as filler for the production of Portland cement. The average composition of the Voltaian based limestone deposits of Buipe, Oterkpolu and Bongo-Da are as follows:

The Voltaian limestone deposits are characterized by intercalations of limestone and argillites. These deposits can have industrial use if mined limestones could be screened and physically beneficiated with clam shells.

Nauli is richer because of its marine formation. CaO values may reach 52% with MgO at some places less than 0.5%.

Dolomite

The main dolomite deposit is located at the Buipe-Baka area in the Northern region with the total surface area of about 150 square kilometers. The dolomite is overlain by limestone and underlain by tillite-like conglomerate. The dolomites are represented by thick layers, compact thinly and crypto-crystalline rock. The average chemical composition from 34 samples drilled from different parts of the deposits is as follows

Preliminary estimate of the investigated area put the resource at over 150 million tones.

Solar Salt

Ghana possesses one of the largest proven renewable solar salt production potential along the entire coastline stretching over a distance of over 500km.

Effective exploitation would enable the country to supply the needs of the entire sub-region. Government is carrying out a study to identify and demarcate areas that will be suitable for salt winning. Such Salt Landbanks will be made available for investors.

Chlor Alkali Industry

Potential exist for the utilisation of part of the salt to produce caustic soda which is a raw material for the soap and detergent industry; and bauxite/alumina production. The chlorine co-product can also be used as water treatment chemical and also serve as raw materials for the production of various health and sanitation chemicals.

Ghana has other industrial minerals deposits, such as feldspar, kaolin, silica sand, granite. Realising that such minerals have not received the attention their potential warrants, it is the government’s policy to diversify the exploitation of its mineral resources base from the traditional minerals like gold, diamonds, bauxite and manganese to include the exploitation of industrial minerals which could promote effective linkages in the economy, to reduce current over reliance on imported substitutes. Some of these deposits could serve as raw materials for the ceramic industries for the manufacture of sanitary and china ware.