Gold mining in Ghana

A large, sharp, equant, translucent, yellow, spinel-twinned or macle twinned Diamond (Super macle twinned Diamond)from Akwatia Diamond Mine and Birim Diamond Field at Akwatia in the Eastern Region; and a couple of inclusions add character to this thick, lustrous crystal.

Gold mining in Ghana has a long history, dating back to the 10th century when the region was part of the ancient Ghana Empire. Commercial gold mining began in the early 19th century, with Europeans establishing several mines during the colonial period.^[1]^[2]^[3] The first documented large-scale mining operation in Ghana was at Obuasi, where gold was discovered in 1897. By 1900, Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, had become a major supplier of gold in the British Empire.^[4]^[5]^[6]

Ghana is renowned for its gold resources and is the largest producer of gold in Africa as of 2019.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12] Major gold discoveries and mining activities have centered around the Ashanti Region and other areas such as Tarkwa, Akyem, and Prestea, forming part of the extensive Birimian and Tarkwaian gold belts.^[13]^[14]

Early gold mining

Ashanti Region has played a central role in gold mining in Ghana, dating back to the 19th century. Local artisanal mining, known as galamsey, predated industrial efforts. The Ashanti Goldfields Corporation was established in 1897, marking the start of large-scale industrial gold mining in Ghana^[15]^[16]^[17]

Modern gold production

Large-scale gold mining in Ghana took off in the mid-20th century, with operations expanding in the 1980s due to rising gold prices.^[18]^[19] Companies such as AngloGold Ashanti and Newmont have operated extensive mines, contributing to Ghana's economy.^[20]^[21]^[22]

In 2019, Ghana overtook South Africa as the leading gold producer in Africa, producing 142.4 tonnes of gold, representing 4.1% of global production.The sector accounts for over 90% of the country's mineral exports and remains an important part of Ghana's economy.^[23]^[24]^[25]^[26]^[7]

Gold mining by region in Ghana

Ashanti Region

The Ashanti Region is historically and currently one of the major gold-producing areas in Ghana. The region is home to some of the largest gold mining companies in the country, including AngloGold Ashanti at Obuasi. Obuasi produced more than 35 million ounces of gold since its discovery in the late 19th century^[27]^[28] Additionally, the Ahafo South and Ahafo North in the Ashanti Region, home to Newmont Ghana's Ahafo Mine, is also a contributor to Ghana's gold output^[29]^[30]

Western Region

The Western Region, particularly the Tarkwa and Prestea districts, is another gold-producing area. Tarkwa, known for its large-scale open-pit mining, has been in operation for several decades and is one of Ghana's gold producers.^[31] It is operated by Gold Fields Ghana and produced 504,000 ounces of gold in 2019.^[32] Prestea, operated by Golden Star Resources, is another mining town that has produced substantial amounts of gold over the years.^[33]

Eastern Region

In the Eastern Region, gold mining activities are centered around the Akyem mine, operated by Newmont Ghana. The Akyem mine, one of the gold mines in the region, began commercial production in 2013 and produced over 500,000 ounces of gold in 2020^[34]^[35]^[36]

Central Region

The Central Region of Ghana, with gold mining activities in towns like Damang, is another producer. The Damang Mine, operated by Gold Fields Ghana, produced 164,000 ounces of gold in 2019^[37]^[38]^[39]

Northern Region

While not as well known for gold mining as other regions, the Northern Region of Ghana has seen increasing interest in gold exploration, with Galiano Gold and other companies investing in small-scale mining projects in the region.^[40]^[41]

Western North Region

The Western North Region has gained attention for its artisanal gold mining activities, especially in areas like Sefwi Wiawso and Bodi. These areas have been known for their gold-bearing areas, and the growth of small-scale mining in this region has contributed to the overall gold production in Ghana^[42]

Royalties

Gold mining companies in Ghana are required to pay royalties as a form of compensation for the extraction of the country's mineral resources. These royalties are governed by the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act, 2018 (Act 978), which establishes mechanisms for managing the royalties and ensuring that the benefits accrue to the state and local communities^[43]^[44]

Controversy

In 2020, the Ghanaian government introduced the Agyapa Royalties deal, designed to monetize a portion of the royalties through a special purpose vehicle listed on the international stock exchanges. The deal sparked public debate due to concerns about transparency and equitable benefits distribution^[45]^[46]

References

^ Americas, Authors: Department of Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the. "The Trans-Saharan Gold Trade (7th–14th Century) | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History". The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Retrieved 2024-11-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Ofosu-Mensah Ababio, Emmanuel. "Traditional Gold Mining in the Akan States of Ghana".
^ Raymond E. Dumett. Cambridge University Press. 23 May 2014. ISBN 978-1558763095. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
^ "Obuasi, Ghana". AngloGold Ashanti. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ Hilson, Gavin (January 2003). Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries. CRC Press. ISBN 9780203971284.
^ "Ej Atlas". ejatlas.org. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ ^a ^b "Ghana: #1 Gold Producer in Africa". Newcore Gold. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Ghana Retains Lead as Africa's Largest Gold Producer- USGS Data Shows - The Vaultz News". 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ Okafor, Chinedu (2023-06-13). "Ghana regains its position as Africa's top gold producer but at a very terrible cost". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "3 Things You Should Know About Gold Mining in Ghana - AZA Finance". azafinance.com. 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "THE GHANA CHAMBER OF MINES 2020 MINING INDUSTRY STATISTICS AND DATA" (PDF).
^ Johnson, Mark-Anthony (2020-11-10). "Ghana still Africa's largest gold producer in 2021 - Fitch". FurtherAfrica. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "A review of gold mineralisation in the Ashanti belt of Ghana and its relation to the crustal evolution of the terrane" (PDF).
^ "Gold mineralization in the Ashanti Belt of Ghana; genetic constraints of the stable isotope geochemistry".
^ Arhin, Kwame (1978). "Gold-mining and trading among the Ashanti of Ghana". Journal des Africanistes. 48 (1): 89–100. doi:10.3406/jafr.1978.1806.
^ "Anglogold Ashanti - AGE (African Growing Enterprises) File". Institute of Developing Economies. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Shining Through Time: The legacy of the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation". GhanaRemembers. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ Anani, Kerzia (2024-05-28). "Ghana's Rich Gold Mining History". Aftrad Village. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "MINING AND OIL".
^ "AngloGold's Obuasi mine in Ghana brought back to life | African Mining Market". 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ Agyapong, Williams (2022-07-13). "Anglogold Ashanti unveils 10-year socio-economic development plan". The Ghana Report. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ Dentsil-Koomson, Papa Kwasi. "Ghana's Industrial Minerals and Lithium: A Gateway to Global Growth".
^ sbesta (2020-08-28). "Top five gold mining countries of Africa from Ghana to Burkina Faso". NS Energy. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Top 10 gold producing countries". MINING.COM. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ emmakd (2022-07-31). "How Ghana lost top gold producer in Africa position to South Africa in three years". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ Besta, Shanka (28 August 2020). "Top five gold mining countries of Africa from Ghana to Burkina Faso".
^ Stoddard, Ed (2023-08-06). "'Game-changer' Obuasi mine in Ghana now the jewel in AngloGold's crown, says CEO Calderon". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Pelangio Exploration Inc". Pelangio Exploration Inc. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ Rani, Archana (2021-07-16). "Newmont approves development of Ghana's Ahafo North gold project". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Newmont Ghana's Ahafo North project approved for execution".
^ "Goldfields Ghana Limited (Tarkwa)". SIGA: State Interests and Governance Authority. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Gold Fields Ghana: Sustainability and Contribution to National Development" (PDF).
^ "Prestea Gold Mine". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Akyem Mine – Past, Present, and Future". 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Akyem – Africa | Newmont Corporation – Operations & Projects". operations.newmont.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Chinese giants show interest in Akyem mine".
^ "Gold Fields assessing possibility of $500m investment for its Damang Mine – Citi Business News". citibusinessnews.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Damang Gold Mine". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "MAJOR OPERATING MINES IN GHANA".
^ "Struggle for natural resources in northern Ghana: Clashes over gold escalate".
^ Tassell, Arthur (2024-07-31). "Galiano Gold: New-look Asanko on a growth path". Miningreview.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Galamsey: Fourteen (14) Regions Devastated by Illegal Mining Activities – Dr. Solomon Owusu Reveals to Government".
^ "MIIF advocates for value addition in Ghana's mining sector". 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "AUM To Hit 1 billion USD by January 2024 - MIIF". 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "IMANI Africa: 10 most alarming problems with Agyapa Royalties deal - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
^ "Ghana Agyapa royalties deal: ECOWAS Court of Justice delivers a…". Transparency.org. 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[1] Americas, Authors: Department of Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the. "The Trans-Saharan Gold Trade (7th–14th Century) | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History". The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Retrieved 2024-11-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[2] Ofosu-Mensah Ababio, Emmanuel. "Traditional Gold Mining in the Akan States of Ghana".

[3] Raymond E. Dumett. Cambridge University Press. 23 May 2014. ISBN 978-1558763095. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)

[4] "Obuasi, Ghana". AngloGold Ashanti. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[5] Hilson, Gavin (January 2003). Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Developing Countries. CRC Press. ISBN 9780203971284.

[6] "Ej Atlas". ejatlas.org. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[:0-7] "Ghana: #1 Gold Producer in Africa". Newcore Gold. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[8] "Ghana Retains Lead as Africa's Largest Gold Producer- USGS Data Shows - The Vaultz News". 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[9] Okafor, Chinedu (2023-06-13). "Ghana regains its position as Africa's top gold producer but at a very terrible cost". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[10] "3 Things You Should Know About Gold Mining in Ghana - AZA Finance". azafinance.com. 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[11] "THE GHANA CHAMBER OF MINES 2020 MINING INDUSTRY STATISTICS AND DATA" (PDF).

[12] Johnson, Mark-Anthony (2020-11-10). "Ghana still Africa's largest gold producer in 2021 - Fitch". FurtherAfrica. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[13] "A review of gold mineralisation in the Ashanti belt of Ghana and its relation to the crustal evolution of the terrane" (PDF).

[14] "Gold mineralization in the Ashanti Belt of Ghana; genetic constraints of the stable isotope geochemistry".

[15] Arhin, Kwame (1978). "Gold-mining and trading among the Ashanti of Ghana". Journal des Africanistes. 48 (1): 89–100. doi:10.3406/jafr.1978.1806.

[16] "Anglogold Ashanti - AGE (African Growing Enterprises) File". Institute of Developing Economies. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[17] "Shining Through Time: The legacy of the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation". GhanaRemembers. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[18] Anani, Kerzia (2024-05-28). "Ghana's Rich Gold Mining History". Aftrad Village. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[19] "MINING AND OIL".

[20] "AngloGold's Obuasi mine in Ghana brought back to life | African Mining Market". 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[21] Agyapong, Williams (2022-07-13). "Anglogold Ashanti unveils 10-year socio-economic development plan". The Ghana Report. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[22] Dentsil-Koomson, Papa Kwasi. "Ghana's Industrial Minerals and Lithium: A Gateway to Global Growth".

[23] sbesta (2020-08-28). "Top five gold mining countries of Africa from Ghana to Burkina Faso". NS Energy. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[24] "Top 10 gold producing countries". MINING.COM. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[25] (2022-07-31). "How Ghana lost top gold producer in Africa position to South Africa in three years". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[26] Besta, Shanka (28 August 2020). "Top five gold mining countries of Africa from Ghana to Burkina Faso".

[27] Stoddard, Ed (2023-08-06). "'Game-changer' Obuasi mine in Ghana now the jewel in AngloGold's crown, says CEO Calderon". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[28] "Pelangio Exploration Inc". Pelangio Exploration Inc. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[29] Rani, Archana (2021-07-16). "Newmont approves development of Ghana's Ahafo North gold project". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[30] "Newmont Ghana's Ahafo North project approved for execution".

[31] "Goldfields Ghana Limited (Tarkwa)". SIGA: State Interests and Governance Authority. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[32] "Gold Fields Ghana: Sustainability and Contribution to National Development" (PDF).

[33] "Prestea Gold Mine". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[34] "Akyem Mine – Past, Present, and Future". 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[35] "Akyem – Africa | Newmont Corporation – Operations & Projects". operations.newmont.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[36] "Chinese giants show interest in Akyem mine".

[37] "Gold Fields assessing possibility of $500m investment for its Damang Mine – Citi Business News". citibusinessnews.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[38] "Damang Gold Mine". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[39] "MAJOR OPERATING MINES IN GHANA".

[40] "Struggle for natural resources in northern Ghana: Clashes over gold escalate".

[41] Tassell, Arthur (2024-07-31). "Galiano Gold: New-look Asanko on a growth path". Miningreview.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[42] "Galamsey: Fourteen (14) Regions Devastated by Illegal Mining Activities – Dr. Solomon Owusu Reveals to Government".

[43] "MIIF advocates for value addition in Ghana's mining sector". 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[44] "AUM To Hit 1 billion USD by January 2024 - MIIF". 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[45] "IMANI Africa: 10 most alarming problems with Agyapa Royalties deal - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 2020-09-28. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

[46] "Ghana Agyapa royalties deal: ECOWAS Court of Justice delivers a…". Transparency.org. 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2024-11-19.

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Gold mining in Ghana

Early gold mining

Modern gold production

Gold mining by region in Ghana

Ashanti Region

Western Region

Eastern Region

Central Region

Northern Region

Western North Region

Royalties

Controversy

References

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