Azumah Resources Begins Black Volta Gold Project Development After E&P Acquisition
Azumah Resources Ghana Limited has begun construction of its Black Volta gold project after indigenous mining company Engineers & Planners Company Limited (E&P) completed the full acquisition of the project.
As part of the development, Azumah Resources has signed an estimated US$37 million contract with Danish engineering and mining technology firm FLSmidth to supply long-lead equipment and critical spare parts for the project’s processing plant. The equipment is scheduled for delivery in 2026, ahead of the planned start of mine operations in 2027.
Under the agreement, FLSmidth will supply key processing equipment, including gyratory and cone crushers, SAG and ball mills, a pre-leach thickener, screens, apron feeders, cyclones and pumps, as well as absorption, desorption, refining and detoxification systems. The company will also provide technical support during detailed engineering, on-site installation, commissioning and staff training. The contract includes spare parts and performance guarantees.
The Black Volta gold project is located in north-western Ghana, a region known for several producing and developing gold mines.
Director of Azumah Resources, Noel Nii Addo, said FLSmidth was selected as a strategic technology partner due to its more than 140 years of global mining experience. He described the signing ceremony in Accra as the start of the journey towards large-scale commercial gold production.
Mr. Addo explained that the long-lead equipment would take about 46 weeks to manufacture, making early payment essential as the company continues procurement for the project. He added that FLSmidth’s involvement brings significant credibility and technical strength to the development.
According to him, commercial production is expected to begin about 21 months after equipment delivery and is projected to create around 1,700 sustainable jobs, mainly for communities within the project area. He noted that only about 20 per cent of the concession has been explored so far, with further exploration planned to expand mining activities and stimulate development across the Wa area.
The contract signing followed the completion of a US$100 million payment by E&P to the project’s former foreign shareholders, making the Ghanaian firm the sole owner of the Black Volta gold project.
The ceremony was attended by executives from the partnering companies, including E&P Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Mahama, FLSmidth Vice President for Capital Sales for Europe, Arabia and Africa, Alistair Mackay, and senior management of Azumah Resources.
