Ghana Mining Sector

The Ghana Gold Expo took place in Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana from March 31 to April 1 under the theme: The Potential of Mining for Sustainable Development. The Expo brought together stakeholders in the mining industry to evaluate the current mining industry’s successes and challenges and discuss the future growth of the industry. 

In a speech read on his behalf, the President of Ghana stressed the need for mining practices that promote sustainable economic development, especially within the communities in which the extractive industries are located. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources said that the Government’s policy is to build a viable, indigenous, and environmentally sound mining industry, with strong local content participation that contributes to sustainable development of the country.  He highlighted the aim to make Ghana the mining hub of Africa where all mining and mining related activities - from research to innovation - will be centered. 

Ghana’s mining industry needs U.S. solutions such as mine tailing storage technology and tailing management practices to better meet standards in this area.  Although many of Ghana’s mining operations have made provisions in this area, they need to upgrade their technology to meet international best practices. Mine operators expressed the desire to deploy more advanced technology to help them improve upon and achieve more from their current tailings management regime.   

There was also mention of the progress made in the promotion of mercury free mining especially by small scale operators which was the focus of the previous edition of Ghana Gold Expo. Despite the strides made in this endeavor, there is still a need for more effort in this regard which presents opportunities for U.S. companies that offer such technological solutions. 

Another important takeaway for U.S. companies is that there is a need for investment, equipment, and services to develop the Ghana’s store of critical minerals such chromium, lithium, and zinc.  Ghana also has some quantities of copper and nickel.  At present, there is an over-concentration of the mining of Ghana’s more traditional minerals such as gold, diamond, bauxite, and manganese. 

For more information on Ghana’s mining sector, contact the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, Commercial Specialist PaaEkow Quansah at office.accra@trade.gov or Tel: +233(0)30-274-1870.