METALS

The major metallic minerals in Ghana are gold, manganese bauxite and iron ore. Currently gold and bauxite and manganese are being mined in Ghana. However, gold is the main focus of majority of foreign and local exploration Companies in the country. Currently, bauxite and iron ore are attracting exploratory importance.

Gold

Despite the amount of past exploration, Ghana is under explored for gold. The occurrence of gold deposits such as Tarkwa, Bibiani, Teberebie and Iduapriem, and the discoveries of new deposits at Ayamfuri, Obotan, Wassa, Damang, Nkawkaw, Kenyase, Ntronang- Abrem area demonstrate the gold potential of Ghana. There are six major gold belts these are Kibi- Winneba, Ashanti Sefwi, Bui, Bole- Nangodi and the Lawra belt.

Bauxite

Ghana has large deposits of good quality bauxite in the Western, Eastern and Ashanti regions. Bauxite deposits in Ghana have been known since 1914, and it is recorded that by the end of 1922, all the major deposits had been discovered. From this period onwards, there has been a lot of work done on all bauxite deposits in Ghana.

The known major bauxite deposits in Ghana are four. These are: Sefwi- Bekwai (Awaso), Aya-Nyinahin, Kibi, and Ejuanema bauxite deposits. The mining work of the Awaso deposit, which is the only exploited deposit, started in 1940-41by the British Aluminium Company Limited. Exploratory work has been intensified on the Kibi and Nyanahin deposits.

Manganese

The major deposit occurs at Nsuta in the Western Region. It is a producing mine. There are two main types of ore - oxides and carbonates. Presently the oxides are depleted at the Nsuta Mine. One interesting thing about the manganese deposits of Ghana is that most are found to be in proximity with Birimian gold occurrences. Manganese occurrences are known in 7 of the 10 regions of Ghana, in the Eastern, Central, Western, Ashanti, Northern, Upper West and Upper East.

Iron Ores

There are three main iron ore deposits, which are yet to be exploited, namely Shieni, Oppong Mansi and Pudo.

Resent discoveries have been made at Adum Banso in the Western which is yet to be fully evaluated.

Mineral Occurrence Map of Ghana- Metals- Bauxite, Manganese, and Iron ore