Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, says Ghana has not benefited enough from more than a century of gold mining.
He says government is seeking investors with the technical expertise, financial strength and proven track record to transform the mining sector and ensure more value from Ghana’s mineral resources is retained in the country.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah made the remarks during a meeting with the management of Shandong Gold Group in Jinan, China, as part of his engagements with Chinese mining investors on opportunities in Ghana’s extractive sector.
Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, is one of China’s major gold-producing centres.
At the meeting, the Minister held talks with Shandong Gold Group President, Zhang Xiaohui, and his executive team on the company’s operations and plans to expand its investments in Ghana.
Shandong Gold Group, one of the world’s top 10 gold producers, began commercial production in Ghana in 2025 through its Cardinal Namdini Mine in the Upper East Region.
The company currently holds eight exploration licences in Ghana and is seeking lease approvals to develop additional projects.
Mr Zhang said the Cardinal Namdini Mine has an annual processing capacity of 9.5 million tonnes and remains committed to responsible and mutually beneficial mining.
He also disclosed that Ghanaians make up about 95% of the mine’s workforce.
Mr Zhang said the company is ready to deepen its investments in Ghana, expand local participation and ensure its operations make a meaningful contribution to the country’s economic development.
Responding to the company’s presentation, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah commended Shandong Gold Group for its performance at the Cardinal Namdini Mine and its commitment to responsible mining.
He, however, stressed the need for Ghana to secure greater economic and development benefits from its mineral resources.
The Minister said Ghana’s more than a century of gold production had not yielded the level of economic and developmental benefits the country should have achieved.
He said this underscores the need for government to attract investors with the technical expertise, financial capacity and operational experience required to develop the sector responsibly and sustainably.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah assured responsible investors of government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investments that comply with Ghana’s mining laws, safeguard the environment and deliver greater economic benefits.
He said increased investment from major mining companies such as Shandong Gold Group could promote responsible large-scale mining, create jobs and enhance value retention within Ghana’s mining sector.
The government, he added, is committed to strengthening partnerships with global mining companies to promote responsible mining, enhance environmental protection and ensure Ghana secures greater economic and social benefits from its mineral resources.
