Ghana and China have agreed on a three-point strategy to tackle illegal mining, strengthen technical cooperation in geological surveys and promote responsible investment in Ghana’s mining sector.
The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting between Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, 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, China.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah, who led the Ghanaian delegation together with Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, described the outcome of the meeting as a breakthrough in efforts to streamline Ghana’s mining industry and attract responsible investment.
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He said the cooperation would focus, among other things, on working with Chinese authorities to ensure that Chinese companies operating in Ghana comply with the country’s laws and meet the highest environmental and operational standards.
“This is very important in how we collaborate on critical areas of the natural resources sector,” he said.
The minister said the partnership would also create a mechanism for dealing with Chinese nationals found to be involved in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He explained that individuals found to have violated Ghanaian mining laws could face sanctions in Ghana, while the Chinese authorities would also work to hold their nationals accountable under the appropriate procedures.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said the new arrangement is particularly significant because Ghana has not had direct engagement with the Chinese authorities on the issue at this level for about five years.
He said both sides have agreed to establish a technical team to implement the areas of cooperation and ensure that the commitments reached at the meeting translate into concrete action.
The minister also said the partnership would strengthen the capacity of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, while facilitating technology transfer and responsible investment in the country’s mineral resources sector.
Geological technology support
China’s Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Sun Shuxian, proposed expanded cooperation in geological surveys, technological innovation, geological mapping and the assessment of critical mineral resources.
He said China is prepared to provide technical support, including satellite remote sensing and airborne geophysical surveys, to help Ghana address gaps in its geological data.
Mr Sun proposed joint geological mapping and critical mineral resource assessments covering key metallogenic belts in Ghana.
He also suggested the establishment of joint laboratories to support mineral exploration, particularly for resources such as gold and lithium.
The proposed cooperation would further include annual exchanges of technicians and joint field training programmes.
According to Mr Sun, the China Geological Survey would follow up on the technical cooperation, while China’s Department of International Cooperation would serve as the primary focal point on the Chinese side.
He welcomed Ghana’s decision to designate a focal person to coordinate the implementation of the agreement, saying this would help ensure that the cooperation moves beyond commitments to practical action.
Land restoration
Beyond the fight against illegal and unsustainable mining, the Chinese delegation shared its experience in rehabilitating abandoned mining pits and restoring degraded mining sites.
The Chinese side said its central government allocates about one billion yuan annually towards the restoration of degraded mining areas.
China also offered to share its experience and practices with Ghana as the country seeks to address the environmental damage caused by illegal and irresponsible mining.
The cooperation comes as Ghana intensifies efforts to protect its natural resources, improve mining governance and attract investment while ensuring that mineral exploitation delivers sustainable benefits to the country.