MINERALS AND MINING POLICY OF GHANA

The Minerals and Mining Policy of Ghana outlines a strategic framework to balance mineral exploitation with sustainable economic, social, and environmental development. It details the transition from state-controlled mining (1957-1983) to a privatized sector, emphasizing the need to diversify the mineral base beyond gold, diamonds, manganese, and bauxite. The policy sets objectives to enhance local value addition, improve geo-scientific data, and support artisanal and small-scale mining, which is reserved for Ghanaian citizens. It establishes regulatory roles for agencies like the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, while committing to international climate goals, including the UNFCCC. Fiscal policies aim for a transparent regime that balances investor attraction with the optimization of government revenue, while social policies focus on community participation, sustainable livelihoods for displaced persons, and the prevention of child labour.

• Ghana's mining sector has transitioned from a period of state ownership and stagnation between 1957 and 1983 to a fully privatized industry following the 1983 Economic Recovery Programme (ERP).
• Gold is the dominant mineral in Ghana, accounting for over 90% of annual mineral revenues over the last two decades and representing over 95% of the mining sector.
• Artisanal and small-scale mining is legally reserved for Ghanaian citizens and has seen significant growth, contributing 34% of total gold production in 2012.
• The government identifies several systemic challenges in the sector, including an over-reliance on traditional minerals, inadequate local value addition, and a lack of geo-scientific data for investors.
• The policy commits the mining industry to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and pursuing a low-carbon path in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to help limit global temperature increases to 2°C.
• To ensure social sustainability, the policy mandates that mining companies develop sustainable livelihood plans for displaced persons, as simple compensation is not considered a long-term solution.
• The fiscal regime is designed to be standardized and transparent, utilizing mineral royalties and corporate income tax while allowing for the stabilization of some fiscal elements through agreements ratified by Parliament.
• Occupational health and safety policies specifically outlaw child labour in mining and require companies to conduct risk assessments and provide employee training.

APA

ClientEarth (n.d.). MINERALS AND MINING POLICY OF GHANA. https://www.clientearth.org/media/cv3i2ueh/minerals-and-mining-policy-2016-ext-en.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. MINERALS AND MINING POLICY OF GHANA. n.d. https://www.clientearth.org/media/cv3i2ueh/minerals-and-mining-policy-2016-ext-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=ClientEarth |title=MINERALS AND MINING POLICY OF GHANA |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/cv3i2ueh/minerals-and-mining-policy-2016-ext-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{clientearthndminerals, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{MINERALS AND MINING POLICY OF GHANA}}, institution = {ClientEarth}, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/cv3i2ueh/minerals-and-mining-policy-2016-ext-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }