Talensi: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the country's mineral resources into wealth, benefiting all Ghanaians. This vision was articulated by Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, during the official commissioning of the Cardinal Namdini Mine, operated by Shandong Gold Group, in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. According to Ghana News Agency, Shandong Gold Group has invested around US$1.1 billion in the Talensi mine since it began operations approximately two years ago. The mine, commissioned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, marks a significant milestone as the first large-scale mine in northern Ghana and one of the largest gold stream mines in the West African sub-region. The project, with a lifespan of 15 years, is projected to produce about five million ounces of gold. Mr. Jinapor emphasized the importance of adhering to Ghana's mining regulations, highlighting the expectation for the company to employ best practices for safe and sustainable mining operations. He acknowledged Shandong Gold Group's global leadership in gold mining technologies and expressed confidence in maintaining these standards in Ghana. The government has implemented measures to support large-scale mining operations in northern Ghana, attracting further investments. Mr. Jinapor announced upcoming projects, including another large-scale mine by Azumah Resources in the Upper West Region and a new mine by Newmont in Ahafo North. Additionally, regional office complexes and laboratories are being constructed to meet the regulatory needs of emerging mines. The Minister also emphasized the government's focus on adding value to mineral resources through establishing mineral refineries. This includes a recently commissioned 400-kilogram capacity gold refinery and plans for a US$450 million manganese refinery in Nsuta. Mr. Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, acknowledged the project's role in strengthening China-Ghana relations and reiterated China's com mitment to sustainable development in Ghana's mining sector, leveraging advanced technologies.