According to him, Ghana has a historical spodumene (greyish-white substance) source of lithium deposits that is largely unexplored. 

Mr Duker said: “Currently, Atlantic Lithium Limited is actively exploring for lithium in the Central Region of Ghana. The company has tenements covering an area of 684km² and has confirmed the historical spodumene deposit.”

He announced these at the 7th University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa Biennial International Mining and Minerals Conference, which opened on Tuesday, at Tarkwa in the Western Region.

It was on the theme “Innovations in mining and mineral processing; expanding the frontiers of mining technology”.

Mr Duker said government was committed to achieving its policy on the integrated aluminum, iron and steel industries.

He said bauxite and iron would not be exported in raw form, but, developed along the value chain in Ghana to benefit Ghanaians.

Mr Duker said government had enacted the Integrated (mining to finished products) Aluminum, Iron and Steel Corporation (GIADEC, Act 976, 2018 & GIISDEC, Act 988, 2019), to achieve that purpose. 

The GIADEC, he said, was at various stages of execution on its four projects, including the Ghana Bauxite Company expansion works currently ongoing at Awaso with further exploration activities. 

 Mr Duker said an indigenous strategic partner, Rocksure International, had been given the mandate to exploit bauxite deposits at Nyinahin and strive to set up a refinery. 

He said “Project three, is at the conclusion of a competitive investor selection process whiles project four, w involves the revival of VALCO. Several partners are similarly being engaged towards the setup of the refinery.”

Mr Duker explained that the establishment of GIISDEC by an Act of Parliament, 2019 (Act 988) was also to promote and develop an integrated iron and steel industry in Ghana.