Lands Ministry mandates 50% Ghanaian ownership for underground mining

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has issued a directive requiring all underground mining contracts to include a Ghanaian-owned company with at least a 50% ownership interest. This move, part of the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, aims to significantly bolster local involvement in the nation’s extractive industry. While the regulation officially became effective on January 1, 2025, the government is currently intensifying its enforcement to ensure that domestic firms take a more prominent role in the sector.

Under the new directive, international mining companies operating in Ghana must partner with indigenous firms, granting them a substantial equity stake in underground operations. This policy shifts the focus from mere service-level participation to genuine ownership, allowing Ghanaian businesses to share in the profits and decision-making processes of large-scale mining projects. The Minerals Commission has been tasked with concluding the final implementation details and operational guidelines for this mandate by November 30, 2026.

The Ministry has addressed industry concerns regarding labor standards, asserting that the protection of workers’ rights remains a central pillar of the new policy. Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential impact on employment conditions, but officials have assured the public that the transition to increased local ownership will not compromise safety or fair wages. By prioritizing Ghanaian participation, the government seeks to build long-term technical capacity within the local workforce and reduce the industry's dependence on foreign expertise for core operations.

As the administration of President John Mahama continues to focus on economic sovereignty, this ownership requirement marks a significant step toward domesticating the benefits of Ghana's mineral wealth. The initiative is expected to stimulate the growth of local capital and encourage further investment in the domestic mining supply chain. With the November 2026 deadline for final protocols approaching, both local and foreign investors are preparing to align their business models with these updated regulatory expectations.