Ghana, China deepen cooperation on galamsey and mining sector

Ghana and China have committed to intensifying their collaboration on a range of issues in Ghana's mining sector, including the eradication of illegal mining, geological exploration, and responsible investment. This agreement was reached during a high-level meeting between Ghana's Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and China's Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Sun Shuxian, during the 2026 China Mining Conference in Tianjin.

The discussions marked a significant step towards improving oversight of mining activities, particularly those involving Chinese nationals. Mr Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized the importance of working with Chinese companies to ensure they meet the highest standards, and that Chinese nationals found engaging in illegal mining activities (galamsey) would face appropriate sanctions.

The cooperation will encompass various areas such as green mining, environmental protection, technology transfer, geological surveys and mapping. A joint technical team has been established to implement these agreements, with China offering to share its expertise in green mining technology, environmental protection, and geological surveys and mapping.

Additionally, China is prepared to provide satellite remote sensing and airborne geophysical surveys to help fill gaps in Ghana's geological data. Both countries are also considering a dialogue mechanism on sustainable mining, mineral value chains, and intelligent mining. China has pledged to share its experience in rehabilitating abandoned mining sites, having allocated approximately one billion Chinese yuan annually to this cause.

The Ghanaian delegation, which included the Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission, the Director-General of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, and the CEO of GIISDEC, expressed appreciation for China's commitment and pledged to work closely with their Chinese counterparts to achieve mutual benefits.