Govt Enforces 50% Ghanaian Ownership Requirement for Underground Contract Mining

The government has reaffirmed the requirement for Ghanaian participation in contract mining, directing that underground mining operations undertaken through contract arrangements must involve a Ghanaian-owned company holding at least a 50 per cent interest.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources announced the directive in a press release issued on October 21, 2026, and signed by its Director of Communications, Zambaga Rufai Saminu. The release outlined additional measures to guide the effective implementation of Ghana’s contract mining policy.

Under the requirements, indigenous Ghanaian companies are to undertake contract mining for surface mining operations, while underground contract mining must be conducted through a partnership in which a Ghanaian-owned company holds no less than a 50 per cent interest.

The Ministry said the requirement had been formally incorporated into the sixth edition of the Local Procurement List, effective January 1, 2025, pursuant to the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020 (LI 2431).

According to the Ministry, most multinational mining companies operating in Ghana have successfully transitioned their operations into compliance since the requirement was introduced.

The government said the measures were intended to strengthen local content and participation while ensuring that Ghanaian businesses play a meaningful role in the mining industry.

However, the implementation of the policy has also raised concerns among the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, human resource experts and other stakeholders about the possible effects of the transition on workers’ salaries, benefits and conditions of service.

In response, the Ministry said consultations with the Union’s leadership, industry experts and other relevant stakeholders had reaffirmed the government’s position that no worker should be disadvantaged by the transition.

The Minerals Commission has consequently been directed to protect workers’ existing remuneration and employment conditions, harmonise salaries and conditions of service across the mining value chain, and categorise eligible contractors according to their capacity to provide mining-related services.

The Commission is expected to conclude the necessary implementation processes and submit the required documents for approval by November 30, 2026.

The Ministry also warned against unfair labour practices, cartelisation, bid-rigging, fronting and other conduct that undermines the objectives of local content regulations.

It said the government remained committed to promoting transparency, genuine Ghanaian participation and the protection of workers as the contract mining policy is implemented.