Ghana has directed major international miners, Newmont Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti and Zijin Mining, to transfer their mining operations to local contractors by December 2026, as part of a sweeping push to increase domestic participation in the sector, according to MarketScreener. The directive, issued by the Minerals Commission and revealed in April 2026, warns that failure to comply could result in sanctions, including fines or potential mine closures.
The three companies are among the last major operators in Ghana still running mines with their own staff, after most others shifted to contract mining following revised local ownership rules introduced in January 2025. Under the updated framework, surface mining must be carried out by fully Ghanaian-owned firms, while underground operations must involve at least 50% local ownership.
Ghanaian authorities say the policy is designed to build capacity among local mining service providers and retain a larger share of value within the country. Emerging domestic firms are expected to take on expanded roles as operators transition away from direct control, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen local industry participation.
The move aligns with a wider trend across resource-rich African economies, where governments are tightening mining regulations to capture more revenue amid rising global commodity prices. For Ghana, Africa’s leading gold producer, the policy marks a decisive step toward economic localisation, even as it raises operational and compliance challenges for multinational miners.
