By Stephen Asante/James Amoh Jnr.
Accra, Dec. 21, GNA – Ghana’s mining sector continues to show resilience, emerging as the critical driver of employment, export revenue and economic growth.
The Chamber of Mines, in its latest report on the performance of the sector, says it generated some GHS17.7 billion in tax revenue, accounting for 24.3 per cent of direct domestic tax revenues in 2024.
The report states that mineral export proceeds reached US$11.9 billion, surpassing combined export earnings from crude oil (US$3.9 billion) and cocoa (US$1.9 billion).
“The mining sector remains a vital pillar of Ghana’s economy”, says Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber.
A key component of the economy, mining is a strategic employment avenue, generating over one million jobs in large-scale operations and small-scale mining activities last year.
Despite the industry’s impressive gains, the environmental damage caused by unregulated operations, particularly artisanal and small-scale mining activities, undermines sustainable development efforts even as formal mining investments expand.
The Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703, as amended by Act 995), a law that makes mining without a licence an offence, prescribing severe penalties, including long prison terms between 15 to 25 years, has been breached with impunity by illegal miners, comprising both the powerful and poor in society.
Over the years, there has been an upsurge in illegal small-scale mining on a level not seen before in the country’s socio-economic endeavours.
The wanton habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, water pollution and scarcity, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, all combined paint a gloomy picture of the nation’s future.
“Water bodies are destroyed, water is polluted, and potable water is unavailable or difficult to find. This generation is, therefore, creating the conditions to deprive our children, grandchildren and future generations of water, a necessity for survival.
“The health of communities in areas with surface mining is compromised, and, hitherto, uncommon diseases and medical conditions associated with heavy metal poisoning, including cancers, birth defects, kidney dysfunction and nervous system disorders, are aggressively manifesting themselves in our communities,” the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences notes in its 2023 statement on illegal mining.
Africa’s top gold producer is battling a surge in poorly regulated small-scale mining that is destroying cocoa farms, degrading forests and rivers, and heightening sustainability risks for its mining sector, sparking protests, the Reuters News Agency reports.
Given the prevailing circumstances and prospects of the mining sector, it comes as no surprise the concern shown by civil society organisations to get the government to effect stronger regulatory enforcement, increased environmental safeguards, and the promotion of responsible mining practices.
In truism, the growing global demand for strategic minerals is intersecting with heightened scrutiny over environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, regulatory complexity, and capital access.
With minerals like copper, cobalt, lithium, graphite, and rare earths in high demand, African nations are finding themselves at the centre of a new geopolitical and economic scramble for resources that will define the next industrial era.
Green Mining Workshop
The need for Ghana to embrace green mining was the focus of discussion at the recent training workshop on sustainable mining for some selected editors and reporters at Peduase, in the Akuapim South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The three-day programme, organised by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and sponsored by the China-Ghana Mining LBG, aimed to expose the journalists to sustainable mining practices to enhance their professional reportage, while bringing same into sharp focus in public discourse.
“Green Mining: Best Practices and Responsible Mining”, was the theme for the programme, which brought on board experts from across the mining sector, giving the participants an insight into the state, challenges and future of Ghana’s mining industry.
Green mining is an environmentally sustainable method of extracting, processing, and distributing minerals, metals, and fossil fuels.
The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of operations and conserve resources for future generations, and involves the adoption of practices that minimise waste, reduce energy consumption, reduce water usage, and promote reforestation.
Significantly, dignitaries invited for the opening ceremony of the training programme, further buttressed how imperative it was for the nation to foster responsible mining practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
“The deployment of green mining will curb the illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’, which is a threat to Ghana’s sustainable growth, posing serious environmental degradation, gross socio-economic effects, and an existential threat to all of us.” Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, stated in a speech read on his behalf.
On the revocation of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which empowered the President to grant licenses for mining in forest reserves, the Minister said the changes were a step in the direction as it would protect the flora and fauna of the country.
Ghana has ratified key environmental treaties and conventions, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Paris Agreement, as well as the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.
These conventions, treaties and national laws bore testament of the nation’s commitment to uphold standards in mining activities and environmental stewardship, the Minister noted.
While commending the media for their commitment to fight illegal small-scale mining, he reminded stakeholders to continue to work collectively to enhance environmental compliance, strong carbon reduction performance, effective land and water management, as well as innovation in sustainable mining technologies.
“Green mining is a shared responsibility,” the Minister noted.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, lauded the GNA as well as Association of China-Ghana Mining for the successful organisation of the programme, saying it would “write a new chapter in China-Ghana mining cooperation”.
Galamsey and Stereotype
Sharing his views on the ‘galasey menace’, the Ambassador described as unfortunate the way in which some media personnel stereotyped Chinese miners in their reportage, causing disaffection for those foreigners who are into genuine businesses.
“Here, I appeal to media friends to report comprehensively and objectively about China, to report more on stories that demonstrate China-Ghana friendship and give the Ghanaian people the whole picture about China to help nurture China-Ghana friendship,” he emphasised.
On China’s investment in the mining sector, he cited the Cardinal Namdini Gold Mine of Shandong Gold and the Wassa Gold Mine of the Chifeng Gold, which had invested massively in medical education, environmental sanitation, and community infrastructure construction to uplift the wellbeing of the local people.
In another development, Chifeng Gold has established the Golden Star Community Development Fund, investing approximately US$4.5 million to construct community centres, schools, clinics, drinking water projects, roads, and other infrastructure for the local communities.
Review of Mining Law
Delivering a paper on the topic, “Community Relations and Conflict Resolution in Ghana’s Mining Industry”, Mr Ahmed Nantogmah, the Chief Operations Officer, Ghana Chamber of Mines, said it was necessary that the nation pursued review of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) in a way that engendered sustainability of the industry.
“The Chamber’s position on the Act review is to support reforms that enhance community benefits and social licence, while advocating a legal framework that keeps Ghana competitive for responsible mining investment,” he noted.
Among other things, the Chamber proposes that amendments to the Act, such as the tenure of mining leases, including frequency and duration of renewal, ought to be critically looked at.
The authorities are also pushing for the establishment of a Minerals Revenue Management Act to promote transparency, accountability and equitable use of mineral revenues to benefit both host communities and the wider economy.
Mr Nantogmah’s presentation covered community relations in Ghana’s mining industry, Social Responsibility Agreements, resolving conflicts through negotiations, and post-conflict management, as well as the Chamber of Mines Advocacy, and role of the media.
Representatives of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Minerals Commission, in their presentations, upheld the importance of green mining, submitting that was imperative for the nation to address the environmental impacts of mining.
By adopting responsible mining practices, implementing advanced technologies, and engaging stakeholders, the mining industry could mitigate its environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future, the participants concurred.
Topics discussed at the training programme covered ethical reporting on mining, environmental impact and best practice, legal and policy compliance, case studies on sustainable mining and media reportage.
The rest are community relations and conflict resolutions, key challenges and opportunities in mining coverage.
In his closing remarks, Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of the GNA, said the Agency was committed to promoting stakeholder engagement, advocacy and sustained campaign to bolster green mining practices.
Green mining, he said, provided the answers for a more sustainable and responsible mining industry as it prioritised energy efficiency, waste reduction, and eco-friendly technologies.
This innovative approach not only protected the planet but also ensured long-term industry viability, the GNA General Manager stated, noting that embracing green mining was a vital step for a cleaner, more resilient future.
All participants came to the, conclusion that without Green mining, Ghana risked a catastrophe in the near future. A catastrophe that will ill define her soil, water, air, food systems, physiology and very soul.
GNA
21 Dec. 2025
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong