ACCRA, Oct 20 – Ghana plans to ban the export of unprocessed minerals by 2030, seeking to expand domestic processing, retain more value from its natural resources and accelerate industrialization.
President John Dramani Mahama announced the target on Monday, while addressing the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra. The proposed restrictions would cover minerals including bauxite, manganese, iron and lithium, with the government seeking to develop local industries that transform raw materials into higher-value products.
“I’ve set a clear goal that by 2030, raw minerals should no longer leave our shores,” Mahama said. “Our bauxite, manganese, iron, lithium and other minerals must support processing and industrial development here at home.”
The plan represents a further step in Ghana’s efforts to shift from exporting raw commodities towards developing domestic mineral value chains. Under the proposed approach, mining companies seeking access to the country’s mineral deposits would be expected to invest in local processing, with these obligations incorporated into mineral agreements.
“Investors must understand the processing obligations associated with access to our resources,” Mahama said.
The announcement comes less than two months after Ghana, Africa’s largest gold producer, introduced restrictions on exports of unrefined gold doré purchased through approved artisanal and small-scale mining offtake arrangements.
Ghana expands restrictions on mineral exports
The gold export restrictions took effect on September 1, 2026, under a directive issued by the Ghana Gold Board, known as GoldBod.
The rules require licensed self-financing aggregators to ensure that gold purchased through approved offtakers is refined at designated facilities in Ghana before export.
The government has also restricted exports of iron scrap and non-ferrous metals to retain more raw materials for domestic industrial use.
The proposed 2030 target would extend this policy direction beyond selected materials to a broader range of minerals. Its economic impact will depend on how the restrictions are implemented, the capacity of domestic processing facilities and the ability of local industries to absorb the additional supply.
Manganese and other minerals in focus
Manganese is among the minerals likely to be affected by the proposed policy. It is widely used in steel production to improve strength and durability, as well as in batteries and other industrial applications.
According to the United States Geological Survey, Ghana is the world’s third-largest manganese exporter, accounting for approximately 10% of global mined supply.
Expanding domestic processing could allow Ghana to capture a greater share of the value generated from manganese and other minerals before they reach international markets. However, developing processing capacity typically requires investment in infrastructure, energy supply, technology and industrial facilities.
The government’s proposed mineral agreement requirements would seek to make local value addition a condition of access to Ghana’s mineral resources.
African countries tighten controls on raw mineral exports
Ghana’s plans form part of a wider shift among African mineral producers towards retaining more economic value from natural resources.
Guinea is considering restrictions on bauxite exports, while Zimbabwe is moving to prohibit exports of lithium concentrate. The Democratic Republic of Congo has also imposed limits on cobalt exports as part of efforts to regulate supply.
In the gold sector, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali and Ivory Coast have established refineries or announced plans to develop them.
These initiatives reflect a broader push to expand domestic processing, strengthen industrial production and reduce dependence on exporting unprocessed commodities. Their effectiveness will depend on whether local facilities can operate competitively and attract sufficient investment to support value-added production.
Gold purchases and royalty reforms complement the strategy
Ghana is also introducing measures to increase the share of mineral revenue retained domestically through gold purchasing arrangements, refining requirements and a revised royalty framework.
On July 1, 2026, the government, through GoldBod, began purchasing 30% of gold produced by large-scale mining companies under an agreement with the Ghana Chamber of Mines. The arrangement replaced a previous framework that targeted 20% of annual gold production.
The government has also introduced a price-linked royalty framework designed to increase public revenue when international mineral prices rise.
Under the new system, gold producers pay royalties ranging from 5% to 12%, with the highest rate applying when international gold prices reach approximately $4,500 per ounce.
Together, the measures seek to increase domestic participation in mineral production and refining while allowing the government to capture a greater share of commodity price gains.
The proposed 2030 export ban would extend that approach to Ghana’s wider mineral sector. Achieving the target will require the development of domestic processing capacity and investment commitments capable of converting the country’s mineral resources into higher-value industrial output.
