Ghana eyes first iron ore mine by end of 2027, says GIISDEC CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), Williams Okofo-Dateh, says Ghana is on course to begin operations at its first iron ore mine by the end of 2027, as part of government’s broader industrialisation agenda.

Speaking at the Ghana Day event during the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Wednesday (11 February), Okofo-Dateh highlighted the strategic importance of iron ore development to Ghana’s industrial future.

“We know the nature of the industry and how important it is for the government’s industrialisation agenda,” he said, noting that iron and steel development remains a critical pillar for value addition and economic transformation.

According to him, government, through GIISDEC, is currently engaged in advanced discussions with an investor to establish an iron ore mining operation in the Western Region, specifically at Oppong Mansie, where geological data on the block has already been secured.

“Government is in serious talks with an investor to set up a mine,” Okofo-Dateh stated. “Remember, we are the promoters and developers at the same time, so we are putting all the necessary policies in place to make it easy for the investor to set up a mine.”

He explained that GIISDEC’s dual role as promoter and developer places it at the center of coordinating policy, investment facilitation and project development to accelerate the mine’s establishment.

“All things are in place, and we are looking at from this year up to the end of 2027. We want to see the first Ghana iron ore mine in operation,” he added.

The planned iron ore project is expected to support Ghana’s downstream steel industry, strengthen local manufacturing capacity and advance the government’s vision of building an integrated iron and steel value chain.