BTA Admin Ghana has called for deeper cooperation with China and international partners in mineral processing, technology transfer, skills development and infrastructure as part of efforts to derive greater value from the country’s mineral resources.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said Ghana was no longer prepared to rely solely on the export of raw minerals, stressing the need for partnerships that create jobs, industries and lasting economic opportunities.
He made the call at the opening ceremony and ministerial forum of the 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Tianjin, China.
Speaking on the theme, “Win-Win Cooperation, Green and Intelligent,” Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said the next chapter of Ghana’s mining industry must be measured not only by what is extracted from the ground, but also by the industries, skills, technology, jobs and stronger communities created in the process.
“Our minerals must do more than generate export receipts. They must support value addition, industrial development, skills, jobs and opportunities for our young people,” he said.
According to the Minister, Ghana’s definition of win-win cooperation requires mineral-producing countries to receive fair value from their resources, while investors are provided with a stable and commercially viable environment.
He said the government was therefore reviewing Ghana’s minerals and mining framework, formalising artisanal and small-scale mining, strengthening responsible oversight and improving transparency across the gold value chain.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah noted that Ghana already had significant Chinese investments in its mining sector, including those by Chifeng Gold Group, Shandong Gold and Zijin Mining.
He said the government wanted future partnerships to extend beyond extraction to mineral processing, technology, infrastructure, skills development and local supply chains.
The Minister also highlighted environmental sustainability as a critical pillar of Ghana’s mining policy, particularly in the fight against illegal and unregulated small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He said the establishment of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), alongside efforts to formalise small-scale mining through the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), formed part of measures to promote responsible mining.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Premier of China, He Lifeng, said China remained ready to develop pragmatic proposals for the fair sharing of benefits from mining investments and to provide funding, investment, technology and technical support to developing economies.
He said this would be done through open and transparent arrangements.
The 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition is being held in Tianjin from September 10 to 12, 2026, under the theme “Win-Win Cooperation, Green and Intelligent.”
