By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Dec. 21, GNA – Mr. Tang Zhenjiang has formally stepped down as Chairman of the Association of China–Ghana Mining (ACGM), closing a tenure widely credited with deepening bilateral mining cooperation.
Mr Tang has advanced green mining practices and strengthening community-centred development across Ghana’s mining sector.
The transition and farewell took place at the 2025 Annual Conference and Chairman Rotation Ceremony of the Association in Accra, attended by senior officials of the Government of Ghana, the Chinese Embassy, regulators, industry leaders.
It marked the end of Mr. Tang’s leadership following his transfer to a new work assignment after about two years of dedicated service in Ghana.
The Association of China-Ghana Mining (ACGM) serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among Chinese mining companies operating in Ghana, regulators and other stakeholders, with the objective of promoting responsible investment, regulatory compliance and sustainable development in the mining sector.
The Association works closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the media to align mining activities with Ghana’s national development priorities.
China has become a significant partner in Ghana’s mining industry in recent years, with investments increasingly focused on technology transfer, local content, skills development and environmentally responsible operations.
This evolving cooperation has coincided with Ghana’s broader push to maximise value from its mineral resources while reducing environmental impact and strengthening community benefits.
Activities implemented during the tenure of the outgoing Chairman, Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, underscored the scale and direction of this cooperation, particularly at Shandong Gold’s Cardinal Namdini Mining Company in northern Ghana.
The company is developing a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power project expected to cut carbon emissions by about 92,000 tonnes annually, while supporting innovative solar–agriculture initiatives.
In 2025 alone, local procurement and employee wages linked to the project exceeded US$330 million.
Beyond flagship investments, ACGM member companies have supported scholarships, youth skills training programmes, community welfare initiatives and national campaigns, reflecting a broader effort to align mining operations with environmental sustainability, social responsibility and community harmon
Mr. Tang said his stewardship of the Association had been guided by a commitment to ensure that mining cooperation between China and Ghana translated into tangible benefits for ordinary people, host communities and the national economy.
He said the Association had drawn inspiration from the long-standing friendship between the two countries, reinforced this year by high-level engagements between President John Dramani Mahama and President Xi Jinping, which reaffirmed sincerity, equality and mutual benefit as the foundation of bilateral cooperation.
Under Mr. Tang’s leadership, the Association facilitated technical exchanges, promoted intelligent mining systems and introduced green energy solutions aimed at improving efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
He noted that collaboration with Chinese universities had led to the establishment of a training centre in Ghana to build high-level technical skills, while engagement with the Ghana News Agency helped strengthen responsible reporting on mining through specialised media training.
Mr. Tang highlighted the Association’s social footprint, stating that within a short period it had mobilised more than GH¢900,000 in cash and in-kind support for Ghanaian communities and individuals, including assistance to conflict-affected areas and support for vulnerable persons.
These interventions, he said, reflected the Association’s belief that mining must advance inclusive development and social responsibility alongside commercial success.
Mr. Tang’s exit as Chairman also drew attention to his parallel role as head of Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited of Shandong Gold, which has become one of the most visible symbols of large-scale Chinese mining investment in Ghana.
In northern Ghana, the company is developing a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power station expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 92,000 tonnes annually, while pioneering a solar–agriculture model that allows crop cultivation beneath solar panels.
Local procurement and wages linked to the project exceeded US$330 million in 2025, underscoring its economic impact.
Mr Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, paid glowing tribute to Mr. Tang, describing his leadership as instrumental in demonstrating that mining development can proceed in harmony with environmental protection and community development.
He said Mr. Tang’s work at both company and Association levels had set a benchmark for future China-Ghana mining cooperation, creating jobs, nurturing local talent and fostering a virtuous cycle linking economic value, environmental stewardship and social governance.
While commending the outgoing Chairman, the Ambassador also noted that the Association’s role as a bridge between the two countries had become increasingly important amid global market fluctuations,
He urged continuity in innovation, smart mining, sustainable practices and talent development as the sector evolves.
Mr. Wang Jinquan, the incoming Chairman, acknowledged Mr. Tang’s contribution, saying he inherited a strong and credible institution built on steady leadership, openness and practical cooperation.
He pledged to consolidate the gains made under his predecessor, deepen engagement with Ghanaian authorities and industry stakeholders, and further aligned the Association’s work with national development priorities and international best practice.
Mr. Isaac Andrews Tandoh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, thanked Mr. Tang and Chinese mining enterprises for their role in attracting responsible foreign direct investment, improving productivity and supporting skills transfer.
He emphasised, however, that future cooperation must prioritise genuine partnerships, local content and value addition, stressing the Commission’s resolve to clamp down on fronting arrangements that undermined national interests.
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, described Mr. Tang’s tenure as one that strengthened confidence between Chinese investors, national institutions and industry bodies.
He said Chinese mining companies had become integral contributors to employment, infrastructure support and broader economic activity, and called for sustained dialogue on fiscal and regulatory reforms to keep Ghana competitive while safeguarding public interest.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie