The Minerals Commission has directed leading multinational mining corporations including Newmont Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti and Zijin Mining Group to transfer their extraction operations to locally controlled contractors by December two thousand twenty six or encounter regulatory penalties, according to multiple individuals familiar with the development alongside official correspondence.
At present, the three corporations continue to manage mining activities through their internal workforce structures, distinguishing them as the remaining operators yet to transition following Ghana’s revision of domestic participation regulations in January two thousand twenty five, which made contract based extraction compulsory.
Under the updated framework, all surface extraction must be executed by enterprises that are entirely Ghanaian owned, whereas subterranean operations are required to be conducted by entities with no less than half Ghanaian ownership.
With the exception of Newmont, Zijin and the relatively smaller Iduapriem concession operated by AngloGold Ashanti, nearly every major mining enterprise within Ghana has already migrated to contractor led extraction systems, according to government representatives and industry executives.
Across the African continent, administrations have been intensifying regulatory oversight of mineral extraction industries in order to secure greater national benefit amid elevated global commodity valuations. In a comparable development, Mali concluded a prolonged impasse with Barrick Gold in November following enforcement of its revised mining legislation.
Formal communications issued by the Minerals Commission in October and January instructed the affected corporations to attain full adherence to the contractor mining directive by the stated deadline. These communications further indicated that failure to satisfy the requirement could attract punitive consequences. Each of the companies had independently appealed for extended timelines to facilitate compliance.
The Ghana subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group confirmed ongoing consultations with the regulator since November two thousand twenty five, explaining that preparatory processes such as tender structuring and technical planning are underway to enable the operational transition. The firm also highlighted the introduction of advanced technological systems that necessitate preliminary evaluation prior to a comprehensive tender procedure.
Neither Newmont Corporation nor AngloGold Ashanti provided immediate responses to inquiries.
Engagements concerning Newmont’s compliance were recently conducted in Accra between its global chief executive Natascha Viljoen and officials of the Minerals Commission, during which the company renewed its request for an extension. The corporation, which manages the Ahafo North and South concessions, had proposed achieving full compliance by two thousand twenty seven, citing additional governance and regulatory obligations associated with its publicly listed status.
Regulatory authorities declined that request, emphasizing that other publicly listed operators such as Gold Fields have already fulfilled the requirement.
Although the Ghana Chamber of Mines did not formally comment, an individual familiar with its position indicated that consultations with the commission are ongoing, while also suggesting that operational decisions of this nature should ideally be influenced by commercial efficiency considerations.
Government officials explained that the revised policy is intended to strengthen domestic capacity within Ghana’s mining services sector and to ensure that a greater proportion of economic value is retained within the country. They pointed to the growing prominence of indigenous enterprises such as Rocksure International and Engineers and Planners as evidence of local capability.
Authorities further expressed confidence that Ghanaian contractors possess the technical competence required to assume expanded operational responsibilities, noting that institutional support will be provided to facilitate execution.
Officials cautioned that noncompliant companies will initially face substantial financial penalties, and persistent failure to adhere could ultimately result in the suspension of mining operations.
