The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has urged foreign mining companies operating in Ghana to adhere strictly to the country’s mining laws and uphold the highest standards of environmental stewardship.
He said Ghana remained open to foreign investment in the extractive sector but cautioned companies against cutting corners in their operations, particularly in relation to environmental protection and responsible mining practices.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah made the remarks during a working visit to Zijin Mining in China, the parent company of Zijin Golden Ridge Mine at New Abirem in Ghana.
He said the government was committed to welcoming foreign investors and creating mutually beneficial business relationships but warned that companies that flouted Ghana’s mining laws would face consequences.
“I have to caution that don’t be tempted to take shortcuts in Ghana. We already know that you have a very high standard in your operations, and we want you to attain the same high standards in all your operations in Ghana.
“Don’t make any of your staff or leaders think that this is an African country, we can have a shortcut, we can cut corners. I don’t think you will do that because they know, for example, that if that happens, there are punitive measures that will be very stiff. We will not tolerate it, especially when it comes to issues of the environment,” he cautioned.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, who met with the President of the Zijin Mining Group, Hongfu Lin after touring the company’s Zijin Gold and Copper Open-Pit Mine, also commended the company for what he described as its high environmental standards and reclamation practices.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said Ghana was interested in working with Zijin to develop innovative approaches to mine reclamation that could transform mining areas into environmentally sustainable sites and potentially tourist attractions.
“What we’ve seen today, the highest environmental standards you have laid here, reclamation redesign. I think we are going to be working with you on that to try to see a new model that will really show that we can transform mining areas into its natural state in a very beautiful way that can even become a tourist attraction that we have seen.
“If that is the direction we want to go, we could work with you on that, but I want to make sure that this standard that you have here is what is translated in Ghana,” he urged.
Push for electric mining vehicles
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah, who also toured Zijin’s electric vehicle and automated technology systems control section, expressed Ghana’s interest in seeing the company transfer some of the technology to its Golden Ridge Mine at New Abirem.
He said the deployment of electric vehicles in Ghana’s mining sector could help reduce operational costs and set a new standard for environmentally responsible mining.
“I see, for example, you are working on these EV vehicles. So far, 20 of them are in Ghana and already there are plans to bring more. I want to see you within the shortest possible time make sure that all the trucks used in Ghana are all electric vehicles because we know the savings that it brings, and that will be a standard that will now be required for all the mining companies to push for.
“So already you are becoming a leader within a short time in these areas and we want to see you do more in that direction,” he encouraged.
Government support
The Lands Minister further assured Mr. Lin of the government’s readiness to support Zijin to expand its operations in Ghana and become a model mining investor for Africa.
He said Ghana had significant opportunities in the extractive sector beyond gold and expressed the government’s willingness to work with Zijin to unlock those opportunities.
“I want to thank you for choosing Ghana as your preferred destination for gold investment. But we have a lot of other opportunities. I was telling you that I came with the Iron and Silk CEO. We will be able to share with you some of the opportunities we have that we can unlock. We have huge opportunities as well. We want you to build our capacity, especially our geological capacity, workers to do more exploration work.”
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah also identified geological exploration as an important component of the government’s efforts to tackle illegal mining.
“In Ghana, one of the challenges we have is the issue of illegal mining, people mining illegally. Why? Because they don’t know where the gold is. Everybody is digging, looking for gold. If only we can work and identify mineralised areas and organise people better, this will go our way. So this is a real top priority and I know with your capacity, we can work with you in that area as well.”
He said Zijin’s investment in Ghana could potentially extend beyond its current mining operations and contribute significantly to the country’s economic development.
“I believe that as an investor, investing in Ghana is not going to end at a mine. It’s going to end in a lot of huge investment in Ghana. And very soon, we are not going to describe any other company as the biggest mining investor in Ghana, but it’s going to be Zijin. And so we look forward to working with you,” he assured.
Zijin pledges commitment
For his part, the President of Zijin Mining Group, Hongfu Lin, thanked the Lands Minister and the people of Ghana for welcoming Zijin Golden Ridge Mine into the country. He pledged to ensure that the company’s operations in Ghana generated benefits for both Ghana and China.
He also appealed to the government to assist the company in addressing outstanding processes, its expansion plans and visa arrangements for some of its key officials.
Zijin’s acquisition of Golden Ridge
In April 2025, Zijin Mining officially acquired Newmont Golden Ridge Limited, taking over ownership of the Akyem Gold Mine and subsequently changing the company’s name to Zijin Golden Ridge Limited.
The company says it is committed to promoting safe and stable production, increasing local value creation and strengthening environmental protection.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
