Ghana, China deepen cooperation on galamsey and mining sector

Ghana and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fight against illegal mining, geological exploration and responsible investment as both countries seek to address challenges within Ghana’s mining sector. The agreement was reached at a high-level meeting between Ghana’s Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and China’s Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Sun Shuxian, on the sidelines of the 2026 China Mining Conference in Tianjin. Mr Armah-Kofi Buah, who attended with Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, described the discussions as a major step towards improving oversight of mining activities, particularly those involving Chinese nationals.

“This is very important in how we collaborate on critical areas of the natural resources sector. This includes how to work with them in policing Chinese companies that are working in Ghana to make sure that they meet the highest standards.” he announced. He said Chinese nationals found engaging in galamsey would be subject to appropriate sanctions.

“Those who are found to have broken the law, especially those who engage in illegal mining activities (galamsey), are not only punished in Ghana, but we have a pathway where the Chinese will also police their people who are working in Ghana,” he said. The cooperation will also cover green mining, environmental protection, technology transfer, geological surveys and mapping. “We are also collaborating with them on green mining technology, environmental protection and technology transfer.

Critically, we will be working with them on geological surveys and mapping. These are very critical breakthroughs,” he explained. A joint technical team will be established to implement the agreed areas of cooperation.

“We have all agreed to form a technical team to move this forward, and I want to thank Ghana’s Ambassador to China for his role,” he added. Mr Sun said China was prepared to deepen technical support for Ghana’s geological sector, including mapping, technological innovation and assessment of critical mineral resources. “We are ready with you, and our proposal is that we suggest more collaboration on the Geological Survey and technological innovation.

I suggest that we can together work on geological mapping and the critical mineral resources potential assessment of the key metallogenic belts.” he stated.