Government sets November 30 deadline for contract mining safeguards

The government has announced a November 30, 2026 deadline for the Minerals Commission to finalize processes necessary for implementing enhanced safeguards under Ghana's contract mining policy. These measures aim to safeguard workers' wages, benefits, and working conditions as mining firms shift from owning to contracting mining operations.

The government's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources affirmed the Minerals Commission would submit all required documentation by the deadline. Concerns about potential negative impacts on workers' salaries and conditions led the government to consult with the Ghana Mineworkers Union, human resource experts, and other stakeholders.

The new directives stipulate that the Commission must prevent any deterioration in wages, emoluments, benefits, or conditions of service for workers employed by mining contractors. Furthermore, the Commission must harmonize salaries, wages, and conditions across the mining industry value chain and categorize contractors based on their capacity to deliver mining services.

Indigenous Ghanaian companies are mandated to conduct surface mining operations as contract mining, while underground operations must be carried out through a partnership with a Ghanaian-owned company holding at least a 50% stake. The government emphasized that these measures complement existing regulatory requirements and are intended to foster fairness, transparency, and genuine participation in the mining sector, aligning with President John Dramani Mahama's Reset Agenda.