Techno-Economic Assessment of Alumina Production from AWASO Bauxite Ore in Ghana

Abstract

The demand for aluminium has increased with modernization and population growth in the global society. Constructing an alumina processing plant to process bauxite reserves at Awaso, Ghana can contribute to meeting VALCO, as well as global demand. In this research, a techno-economic assessment of alumina production from bauxite ore was conducted. The entire alumina production process was modelled and simulated using commercial software ASPEN Plus®, EdrawMax and Drawio. The comprehensive simulation encompassed material and energy balances, design specifications and process flowsheet development during steady-state operation. The techno-economic assessment of the alumina process plant included economic performance evaluation such as turnover ratio (2.5), rate of return on investment (18%), payback time (5.54 years) and net present value (M$158.8). These give promising results for policy makers and stakeholders in Ghana to consider constructing a processing plant for the production of alumina from Awaso bauxite ore to feed VALCO, the aluminium production company within the country.