Ghana and China to strengthen cooperation against illegal mining
Ghana and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating illegal mineral extraction, geological exploration and responsible investment in the mining sector. The agreements were reached during a meeting between Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and China’s Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Sun Shuxian, in Tianjin on the sidelines of the China Mining Conference 2026.
As MyJoyOnline reports, Buah described the talks as a step toward strengthening oversight of mining activities, including Chinese companies operating in Ghana. According to him, Chinese citizens found to be involved in illegal mining, known in Ghana as galamsey, will be subject to appropriate sanctions.
Technical group and geological research
The cooperation will cover environmentally responsible mining technologies, environmental protection, technology transfer, geological research and mapping. To implement the agreements, the countries will establish a joint technical group.
Sun Shuxian stated that China is ready to provide technical support to Ghana’s geological sector. This includes geological mapping, technological innovation and assessing the potential of critical mineral resources in key mineral-bearing belts.
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Remote sensing and laboratories
China also proposed satellite remote sensing and airborne geophysical surveys to fill gaps in Ghana’s geological data. Sun proposed establishing joint laboratories for mineral exploration, including for gold and lithium, as well as holding regular technical exchanges and specialist training.
The China Geological Survey will support the technical interaction, while China’s Department of International Cooperation will serve as its main coordinating body. The countries are also considering a dialogue mechanism on sustainable mining, mineral value chains and smart mining.
Separately, China offered to share its experience in restoring abandoned mining sites. According to Sun, China’s central government allocates about 1 billion Chinese yuan annually for the reclamation of abandoned mining pits.
