Ghana, China agree three-point strategy to tackle illegal mining

Ghana and China have agreed on a three-point strategy to tackle illegal mining, strengthen geological survey cooperation and attract responsible investment into Ghana’s mining sector.

The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting between Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and China’s Ministry of Natural Resources on the sidelines of the 2026 China Mining Conference in Tianjin.

The Ghanaian delegation was led by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, alongside Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah described the outcome as a breakthrough in efforts to improve regulation in the mining industry and attract responsible investment.

The minister said the two countries would work together to ensure that Chinese companies operating in Ghana comply with high standards.

“This is very important in how we collaborate on critical areas of the natural resources sector. This includes how to work with them in policing Chinese companies that are working in Ghana to make sure that they meet the highest standards,” he said.

He added that the cooperation would provide a pathway for Chinese nationals found to be involved in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, to face appropriate sanctions in both countries.

“Those who are found to have broken the law, especially those who engage in illegal mining activities, are not only punished in Ghana, but we have a pathway where the Chinese will also police their people who are working in Ghana,” he said.

The strategy will also seek to strengthen the technical capacity of Ghana’s Geological Survey Authority, promote technology transfer and encourage responsible investment.

Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said both sides had agreed to establish a technical team to help implement the cooperation. He also noted that Ghana had not held direct engagement with Chinese authorities on these issues in the past five years.

China’s Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Sun Shuxian, proposed expanded cooperation in geological surveys, technological innovation, geological mapping and the assessment of critical mineral resources.

He suggested that the two countries work together to map key mineral-bearing geological belts and assess their potential.

Mr Sun said China was prepared to provide technical support, including satellite remote sensing and airborne geophysical surveys, to help Ghana address gaps in its geological data.

He also proposed joint laboratories to support mineral prospecting, including for gold and lithium, as well as annual technician exchanges and joint field training.

Mr Sun said the China Geological Survey would follow up on the cooperation, while China’s Department of International Cooperation would serve as the main Chinese focal point.

He welcomed Ghana’s decision to appoint a focal person to coordinate implementation, saying the arrangement would help ensure the agreement moved from discussion to action.

The Chinese deputy minister also invited the Ghanaian delegation to visit China’s Ministry of Natural Resources in Beijing for further discussions.

Beyond illegal mining and geological cooperation, the Chinese delegation shared its experience in rehabilitating abandoned mining pits.

It said China’s central government allocates about one billion yuan annually to restore degraded mining sites and offered to share relevant practices with Ghana.

Other Ghanaian officials who attended the meeting included Minerals Commission Chief Executive Isaac Tandoh, Ghana Geological Survey Authority Director-General Dr Prosper Aduah Akaba, and Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Williams Okofo Dartey.