ACCRA, April 23 – Ghana is escalating efforts to localize its mining sector, giving major international operators a firm deadline to comply with new ownership and contracting rules, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The country’s regulator has instructed Newmont Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti and Zijin Mining to transition their mining operations to local contractors by December 2026 or face sanctions.
The directive follows reforms introduced in January 2025 requiring all mining operations in Ghana, Africa’s top gold producer to adopt contract mining models. Under the rules, surface mining must be handled by fully Ghanaian-owned firms, while underground operations must involve companies with at least 50% local ownership.
Most large miners have already complied with the new framework, leaving only a handful of operators still running mines using in-house teams. The regulator has rejected requests for further extensions, including from Newmont, which had sought to delay full compliance until 2027.
Officials say the policy is designed to build domestic capacity and retain more economic value within the country. It also aims to strengthen local firms such as Engineers & Planners and Rocksure International, which are expected to take on larger roles in contract mining.
The move reflects a broader trend across Africa, where governments are tightening regulations to capture a greater share of revenues from booming mineral markets. Similar efforts have been seen in countries like Mali, which recently enforced stricter mining codes in negotiations with global operators.
Failure to comply with Ghana’s new rules could result in heavy fines or even the suspension of mining operations, according to officials.
While industry players acknowledge the long-term benefits of local participation, some argue that operational efficiency and commercial considerations should also guide implementation.
The outcome of this policy shift will be closely watched, as Ghana balances attracting foreign investment with strengthening domestic control over its natural resources.
