Gov't To Establish Gold Processing Centres To Boost Recovery To 70%

Government is working to establish gold processing centres for small-scale mining cooperatives, with the first facilities expected to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2027.

The initiative is aimed at improving gold recovery and reducing the environmental impact of small-scale mining operations.

According to plans, the proposed centres are expected to increase recovery rates from about 30 percent to approximately 70 percent, enabling miners to extract more gold from the ore they process.

The centres are also expected to reduce dependence on mercury and cyanide, chemicals that have been linked to severe environmental pollution.

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Dr Yusif Sulemana, disclosed the plans in an interview with Channel One TV on the sidelines of the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra.

"As it stands now, we are told that 30% is what they get when they use mercury and cyanide. But if they use these facilities that we are asking them to agree to use, they will be recovering about 70%," he explained.

Dr Sulemana said some investors have already submitted proposals to support the project, while the Ministry is working to facilitate the establishment of the facilities. Government also plans to sign Memoranda of Understanding with interested investors to fast-track implementation.

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has expressed interest in helping to facilitate the establishment of some of the centres, which are expected to support efforts to formalise small-scale mining and improve traceability of gold purchased by the Board.

The initiative forms part of a broader government plan to promote regulated and environmentally responsible mining, with authorities targeting the registration of nearly 100 small-scale mining cooperatives by the end of 2026.