Ghana’s mining regulator has issued a firm directive to Newmont (NYSE: NEM), AngloGold Ashanti, and China’s Zijin Mining, mandating a shift of their mining operations to local contractors by December 2026 or face potential sanctions.
The ultimatum, detailed in letters sent to the companies between October 2025 and January 2026, enforces revised local ownership rules introduced in January 2025. Under these regulations, surface mining must be conducted by fully Ghanaian-owned firms, while underground operations require at least 50% local ownership. As Africa’s leading gold producer, Ghana aims to retain more economic value in-country by building capacity among domestic mining service companies like Rocksure and Engineers & Planners.
Newmont, which operates the Ahafo North and South gold mines, requested an extension to 2027, citing additional regulatory and governance obligations as a listed company. However, the Minerals Commission rejected this plea, pointing out that peers like Gold Fields have already complied. Discussions in Accra this month between Newmont’s global CEO, Natascha Viljoen, and regulators failed to secure a delay.
Zijin’s Ghana unit, meanwhile, noted ongoing engagement with the commission since November 2025, including preparations for tenders and technical frameworks to facilitate the transition. Neither Newmont nor AngloGold Ashanti, which runs the smaller Iduapriem gold mine, provided immediate comments on the directive.
Non-compliance carries steep consequences, with government officials warning of hefty fines as a first step, followed by potential mine shutdowns if violations persist. Most large miners in Ghana have already adapted to contract mining, leaving these three as outliers in a sector under increasing scrutiny.
The broader push across African nations to tighten mining codes, as seen in Mali’s recent resolution with Barrick in November 2025, reflects a drive for greater revenue amid rising mineral prices. Ghana’s deadline of December 2026 stands as a critical test for foreign operators balancing local mandates with operational efficiency.
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