VALCO in serious crisis as operational pots fall from 127 to 90 in eight months

The 37 pot decline represents a drop of over 30% in operational capacity in less than a year, raising fresh concerns about the viability of Ghana’s only aluminium smelter.

BackgroundVALCO, Ghana’s only aluminium smelter and a key asset in Government’s plan for an integrated aluminium industry under GIADEC, has struggled for years with inconsistent power, aging equipment, and working capital shortages.

The drop signals deepening distress at the Tema-based smelter, which has struggled for years with lack of needed capital, aging equipment, and overwhelming debt repayment challenges.