Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to build gold processing centres

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has announced plans to establish dedicated gold processing centres for small-scale mining cooperatives, aiming to significantly boost gold recovery rates. Deputy Minister Dr. Yusif Sulemana, speaking at the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra, revealed that the initiative targets an increase in recovery from the current average of 30% to approximately 70%. The first phase of these facilities is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2027, marking a pivotal shift in the government’s approach to the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.

A core component of the project is the partnership with the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) to enhance the traceability of gold within the formal supply chain. By processing gold at centralized, state-regulated hubs, the government aims to verify the origins of the metal, addressing long-standing international concerns regarding the legitimacy and transparency of small-scale production. This formalization effort is supported by a strategy to register nearly 100 mining cooperatives by the end of 2026, ensuring they operate within a structured regulatory framework.

Beyond economic gains, the processing centres are designed to mitigate the environmental degradation caused by traditional mining methods. The new facilities will utilize technologies that reduce or eliminate the reliance on hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, which are commonly used by small-scale miners. Dr. Sulemana emphasized that the Ministry is actively engaging private investors through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to provide the necessary capital and technical expertise for the construction and management of these hubs.

The initiative aligns with a broader national goal to promote regulated and environmentally responsible mining practices across Ghana. By providing small-scale miners with access to efficient technology and a formal market, the government hopes to curb illegal mining activities while maximizing the sector's contribution to the national economy. The successful implementation of these centres is expected to provide a sustainable blueprint for the future of Ghana's mining industry, balancing economic growth with environmental conservation.