Talensi MP Calls for Opportunities for Artisanal Miners, Says Responsible Mining Will Boost Youth Employment
The Member of Parliament for the Talensi Constituency, Mahama Daniel Dung, has reiterated the need to provide artisanal miners in the Talensi District with the opportunity to work legally and earn a living from the area’s mineral resources. The MP made the remarks during a brief engagement with the media, stressing that creating opportunities for artisanal miners would help address youth unemployment and improve the livelihoods of residents. “We believe that our artisanal miners within the Talensi District should be given the opportunity to work and ensure that the youth within Talensi get jobs and earn income,” Mr Dung stated. He explained that the government’s commitment to responsible mining, as outlined in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto, offers hope for communities such as Talensi, where mining remains an important source of livelihood for many residents. According to the MP, Talensi is expected to be among the areas considered for demarcation under the responsible mining initiative, which seeks to promote lawful and sustainable mining practices. Mr Dung further disclosed that efforts were underway to advance the initiative, noting that the District Chief Executive (DCE) had accompanied him to Accra on several occasions to engage relevant stakeholders on the matter. He expressed optimism that the ongoing engagements would soon yield positive results, creating opportunities for registered miners to operate as artisanal miners under the proposed arrangements. The MP said the initiative would not only contribute to Ghana’s economic growth but also enable local communities to benefit from the natural resources found in their areas. He maintained that providing a regulated opportunity for artisanal miners to work would help create jobs, generate income and ensure that residents of Talensi benefit more directly from the district’s mineral wealth. The proposed initiative, if implemented, could mark an important step towards balancing local economic opportunities with responsible mining practices and sustainable resource management in the Talensi District. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi Defends Call to Formalise Unlicensed Small-Scale Mining
GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, has stepped forward to clarify his stance on the formalisation of unlicensed small-scale mining, a topic that recently sparked widespread debate. Addressing critics who accused him of encouraging illegal mining, Gyamfi insisted that operators working outside protected zones such as forest reserves, water bodies, and other environmentally sensitive areas could be responsibly integrated into the formal mining sector. In a detailed response to the controversy, Gyamfi argued that supporting the formalisation of eligible miners was a more practical and effective solution than pursuing them with security forces. He stressed, however, that not all forms of unlicensed mining could be condoned. Operations that pollute water bodies, take place in forest reserves, or are conducted dangerously close to roadsides, school lands, or even within homes, he said, must remain prohibited. Gyamfi explained that artisanal and small-scale miners who work outside these restricted areas could qualify for formalisation under the government’s Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), provided their activities are environmentally sound. According to him, the programme aims to transform unlicensed operators into licensed, responsible miners by offering legal documentation, permits, certifications, and the necessary training to operate safely and sustainably. He also dismissed a video circulating online as a misleading, edited version of his earlier remarks, claiming it omitted key information about the government’s support for responsible mining. Gyamfi reiterated that formalisation, training, and financing are central to fostering environmentally responsible small-scale mining, strengthening traceability, and improving industry standards. Looking ahead, the GoldBod CEO announced plans to roll out an Artisanal and Small-scale Mining Formalisation and Financing Support Programme (FFSP) in 2027. The initiative, he said, would be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the University of Mines and Technology, and Rand Refinery. Its goal: to increase gold production, boost mineral revenues, create jobs, and reduce both operational costs and environmental risks. With these measures, Gyamfi hopes to shift the narrative around small-scale mining in Ghana, promoting a future where responsible practices take center stage. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Issues New Directives to Protect Workers in Contract Mining Transition
A new chapter is unfolding in Ghana’s mining sector as the government unveils a set of robust policy directives designed to protect workers’ rights and welfare during the nation’s transition from owner mining to contract mining. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, in a press release dated October 21, 2026, announced the measures as part of a wider effort to ensure the effective implementation of Ghana’s contract mining policy. The directives make it clear: indigenous Ghanaian companies will now take the lead on contract mining for surface operations, while underground mining contracts will require a partnership model in which Ghanaian-owned companies must hold at least a 50% stake. This provision has already found its way into the 6th Edition of the Local Procurement List, effective January 1, 2025, under the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (LI 2431). Most multinational mining companies, the ministry noted, have already brought their operations into compliance. Yet the transition has not been without concern. The Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, along with human resource experts and other stakeholders, raised important questions about how the policy shift might affect workers’ salaries, wages, and overall conditions of service. In response, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission engaged in consultations with union leaders, industry experts, and other relevant groups. Through these discussions, the regulatory and policy intent behind contract mining was clarified. Crucially, the government reaffirmed its commitment that no worker would be worse off because of these changes. According to the directive, every Ghanaian contract mining worker must receive salaries, wages, allowances, benefits, and incentives equivalent to what was paid to owner mining workers for comparable roles before the transition. To back this up, the government has instructed the Minerals Commission to ensure no worker engaged by a mining contractor or service provider suffers any reduction in pay, benefits, or working conditions as a result of the new arrangements. The Commission has also been tasked with harmonising salaries, wages, and service conditions across the mining industry value chain, and to categorise eligible contractors based on their capacity to provide mining-related services. These new safeguards complement existing regulatory requirements and do not restrict the Minerals Commission from taking further lawful steps to advance the objectives of the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (LI 2431). The Commission faces a deadline of November 30, 2026, to finalise the necessary processes and submit all required documentation for approval. The Ministry’s message is unequivocal: there will be zero tolerance for unfair labour practices, cartelisation, bid rigging, fronting, or any other behaviour that undermines local content objectives or harms Ghanaian workers. “The Government remains resolute in ensuring fairness, transparency, genuine Ghanaian participation and the protection of workers across the mining industry value chain,” the statement concluded. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
President Mahama Urges Africa to Harness Critical Minerals Boom for Industrial Transformation
At the opening of the 2026 Mining in Motion Conference at Destiny Arena, President John Dramani Mahama delivered a rallying call to African nations: seize the global surge in demand for critical minerals and use it as a springboard for industrial development. Addressing an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, and investors, President Mahama underscored the need for Africa to move beyond the traditional model of extracting and exporting raw materials. Instead, he advocated for local processing, the development of manufacturing capacity, and the creation of stronger links between the continent’s mineral resources and its domestic industries. “For minerals, this means owning our own resources, extracting them responsibly, and processing them domestically and competitively. It also means linking our mineral value chains to industries that our economies need,” President Mahama stated. He pointed out that the global shift toward cleaner energy is driving up demand for critical minerals—a trend that presents Africa with a unique opportunity to secure a stronger position in manufacturing, supported by investment in skills, technology, and robust supply networks. President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s proactive steps in this direction, referencing the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC). These initiatives aim to create integrated value chains that link mineral extraction to local processing and production, setting a blueprint for other African countries. “As global demand for critical minerals continues to grow, capturing more value at home will be vital,” President Mahama concluded. “Africa must take greater ownership of its resources and ensure that they contribute meaningfully to our industrial future.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Asantehene Endorses President Mahama’s Reset Agenda, Hails Push for Local Mineral Value Addition
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has thrown his weight behind President John Dramani Mahama’s reset agenda, describing the government’s emphasis on local value addition to Ghana’s mineral resources as a vital step toward true economic transformation. Delivering the endorsement on behalf of the Asantehene at the Mining in Motion conference on Monday, October 19, Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama, Essumejahene, commended the administration’s determination to shift Ghana away from the export of raw minerals toward domestic processing and industrialisation. He argued that the approach to mineral governance championed by the reset agenda could help the country break free from the cycle of poverty by retaining more value from its natural resources. Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama highlighted that, since assuming office, President Mahama’s reset agenda has prioritised greater national control over mineral wealth and the development of local processing capacity. “The focus on what Ghana produces from its mineral resources, rather than merely exporting them in their raw state, reflects a long-standing national aspiration to use our natural wealth to drive industrial development,” he stressed. Referencing the ongoing debates surrounding the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), he urged that such controversies should not distract from the core objectives of the agenda. “Regardless of the controversies surrounding the Gold Board, there should be no doubt that the nature of the President’s reset agenda takes us right back to the very foundation of our republic, when Dr. Kwame Nkrumah sought to harness our minerals and move to establish a gold refinery in Tarkwa,” he said. Nana Okyere Kusi Ntrama concluded that the current mineral policy direction presents Ghana with a renewed opportunity to build on its legacy by strengthening domestic value addition and ensuring the country secures greater economic benefits from its resources. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Tensions Rise After Youth Clash at Gbani Gold Mining Site in Upper East Region
Tensions have surged in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region following a violent clash between youth groups from Gban and Namoulog at the Gbani gold mining site. The confrontation has sparked fears of further violence and heightened concerns about security in the area. The incident, which unfolded at the busy mining site, saw groups of young men from the two communities hurling stones at each other. A video shared on Facebook by Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen on Saturday, October 10, captured the chaotic scene, with several individuals calling for urgent police intervention to restore order. Community members and local leaders are now calling on security agencies to intervene swiftly to de-escalate tensions and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. Many fear that without immediate action, the confrontation could lead to more serious unrest at the already volatile mining site. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1V97vbQAjw/ Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Operation Water Shield Launched to Protect Ghana’s Rivers from Illegal Mining
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched Operation Water Shield, a far-reaching national enforcement campaign designed to safeguard Ghana’s major rivers, watersheds, and other vital water resources from the destructive impacts of illegal mining. Unlike previous one-off raids, Operation Water Shield marks a shift to a sustained, intelligence-led strategy that targets priority river systems, especially those close to downstream communities and water-treatment facilities. The campaign, announced in a statement on Friday, September 11, 2026, will focus on heavily threatened rivers such as the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, and Offin, along with affected stretches of the Black and White Volta systems. Strategic source areas and upper catchments critical to downstream water quality will also be given priority. NAIMOS emphasised that the operation will be carried out in partnership with relevant security and state agencies, aiming to protect river sources, deny illegal miners access to riverbanks and waterways, dismantle logistics and financial networks enabling illegal mining, and restore degraded water bodies. Sustained monitoring will be established to prevent reoccupation of cleared areas. “Enforcement under Operation WATER SHIELD will be firm, sustained and uncompromising, within the law,” the Secretariat announced. Illegal miners operating on riverbanks and waterways should expect disruptions to their activities, with equipment such as excavators, changfan machines, Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Launches Operation WATER SHIELD to Target Illegal Mining Financiers and Equipment Suppliers
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has unveiled a bold new strategy in the fight against illegal mining, announcing plans to target not just miners, but also the financiers, facilitators, and equipment suppliers fueling the destructive activity known locally as galamsey. In a statement launching Operation WATER SHIELD, NAIMOS outlined a national enforcement campaign aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s major rivers, watersheds, and critical water resources from the ravages of illegal mining. Unlike previous efforts that primarily focused on miners and mining sites, this campaign will pursue the wider criminal and financial networks sustaining galamsey operations. The campaign will increase scrutiny on those who facilitate illegal mining, unauthorized manufacturers of chanfang machines, and individuals or companies that rent or supply excavators, water pumps, and other machinery used in the illicit trade. Enforcement, NAIMOS pledged, will be “firm, sustained and uncompromising, within the law.” Illegal miners working on riverbanks and water bodies should expect their operations to be disrupted, with any seized equipment immobilized or dealt with according to the law. Excavators, chanfang machines, water pumps, and dredging equipment will remain prime targets. Operation WATER SHIELD will focus on some of Ghana’s most threatened river systems, including the Birim, Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra, and Offin Rivers, as well as critically impacted sections of the Black and White Volta systems. Strategic source areas and upper catchments, which play a crucial role in downstream water quality, will also receive priority attention. NAIMOS described the campaign as a shift from isolated enforcement actions to a sustained, intelligence-led approach that targets both the source and downstream impact zones of illegal mining. The operation will be conducted in collaboration with security and state agencies to deny illegal miners access to riverbanks and waterways, dismantle their logistics and financing structures, and support the restoration of degraded water bodies. Ultimately, the Secretariat’s goal is to “substantially degrade and contain illegal mining within protected watersheds,” restrict the movement of heavy equipment into sensitive river systems, and disrupt the networks that enable illegal mining to persist. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Seeks Deeper Partnerships with China for Value-Driven, Sustainable Mining Future
Ghana is charting a new path in its mining sector, calling for stronger partnerships with China and global stakeholders to unlock greater value from its mineral resources. The message was delivered by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, at the opening of the 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Tianjin, China. No longer content with exporting raw minerals, Ghana is seeking cooperation in mineral processing, technology transfer, skills development, and infrastructure to fuel job creation and economic growth. “Our minerals must do more than generate export receipts. They must support value addition, industrial development, skills, jobs and opportunities for our young people,” the Minister emphasized. He stressed that the next chapter of Ghana’s mining industry must prioritize industries, skills, technology, jobs, and stronger communities alongside extraction. To this end, the government is reviewing its minerals and mining framework, formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining, and enhancing transparency and responsible oversight across the gold value chain. Ghana already boasts significant Chinese investments in mining, including Chifeng Gold Group, Shandong Gold, and Zijin Mining. But Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said future partnerships should go beyond extraction to embrace mineral processing, infrastructure, local supply chains, and skills development. Environmental sustainability also took center stage, with the Minister highlighting measures to combat illegal mining (galamsey), such as the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). He appealed for deeper cooperation with China in environmental management, land reclamation, and restoration of mined areas: “A river is not simply an environmental statistic. It is drinking water. It is farming. It is the livelihood of a community. It is an inheritance held in trust for a child not yet born.” Pushing for intelligent mining, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined Ghana’s efforts to modernize its geological data and digitalize the gold supply chain. He underscored the importance of accurate geological information for attracting investment and ensuring fair negotiations, calling for greater technical exchanges and mining-specific training for Ghanaians. Looking ahead, the Minister said Ghana is focused on refining more gold, advancing an integrated aluminium industry, developing iron ore resources for domestic steel production, and positioning critical minerals for new industries and technologies. This vision will be showcased during Ghana Mining Day at the conference under the theme, “Building Ghana’s Next Frontier: Geology, Value Addition and Investment Partnership.” He invited Chinese and global investors to explore mutually beneficial opportunities, stating, “We have the resources. China has deep experience in capital, technology, processing, infrastructure and industrial development. Between us lies an opportunity to build commercially sound partnerships in which Ghana creates more value at home, investors succeed, communities share in prosperity and both countries emerge stronger.” China’s Vice Premier, He Lifeng, responded by expressing China’s readiness to support developing economies with funding, technology, and fair benefit-sharing through open and transparent partnerships. The 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition runs in Tianjin from September 10 to 12, 2026, under the theme, “Win-Win Cooperation, Green and Intelligent.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Sam George: Galamsey Accounts for 25% of Fibre Network Disruptions in Ghana
Illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, is fast becoming the unseen saboteur of Ghana’s digital lifelines. At a recent Government Accountability Series event, Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George revealed a troubling statistic: about one in every four fibre-optic cable cuts recorded nationwide can be traced back to the activities of galamsey operators. Beneath Ghana’s bustling towns and quiet villages, a complex web of fibre-optic cables keeps people connected, to each other and to the world. But this vital infrastructure faces a growing threat from those digging for gold. “Twenty-five percent of fibre cuts are a result of galamsey,” Minister George stated. “The telecom industry is one of the worst hit by the activities of galamsey operators.” Unlike road construction crews, who typically alert authorities when their work could disrupt underground cables, illegal miners rarely provide any warning. As they excavate in search of precious minerals, they often damage fibre lines, leaving telecommunications companies scrambling to trace and repair the breaks, often without any idea where to begin. The result is widespread disruption, especially in areas where there are no alternative fibre routes. Voice and data traffic can grind to a halt, leaving entire communities isolated from modern communication. The repercussions ripple far beyond mere inconvenience. Each fibre cut forces telecom companies to deploy teams and equipment at significant cost, straining their resources and threatening the reliability of Ghana’s digital services. Minister George warned that if this trend continues, the backbone of the nation’s telecommunications could be fatally undermined, deepening network disruptions and jeopardizing the country’s digital future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com