Government and the World Gold Council (WGC) have signed a strategic partnership aimed at formalising artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), improving supply chain integrity and reducing illicit gold flows.

The agreement, signed through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, seeks to establish a framework for responsible gold production by supporting policy development, capacity building, traceability systems, technology solutions and training for artisanal mining communities.

Under the partnership, the World Gold Council has committed an initial development grant of $250,000 to support efforts towards cooperative registration under Ghana’s flagship rCOMSDEP programme.

The initiative is expected to help create a national network of accessible and trusted gold processing plants that meet responsible sourcing standards while providing artisanal miners with incentives to channel their gold into the formal supply chain.

The partnership comes as Ghana continues efforts to address challenges within the artisanal mining sector, including illegal mining activities, environmental degradation and concerns over the transparency of gold trading.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, said the agreement demonstrates Ghana’s commitment to transforming artisanal and small-scale mining into a regulated and economically beneficial sector.

“This partnership reflects Ghana’s clear commitment to transforming artisanal and small-scale gold mining into a responsible, well-regulated and economically empowering sector.

“By working with the World Gold Council, we are strengthening our efforts to formalise ASGM, eliminate harmful practices, and ensure that the benefits of Ghana’s gold resources are realised by our communities and our nation as a whole.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the World Gold Council, David Tait, said Ghana’s position as a major gold producer makes the partnership important in building a responsible artisanal mining value chain.

“Ghana is a global leader in gold production and has demonstrated real ambition in tackling the challenges and opportunities of artisanal mining.

“This MoU provides a strong platform for collaboration — bringing together government leadership, international standards and industry expertise — to help build a trusted, transparent and responsible ASGM value chain that works for miners, communities and markets alike.”

The two parties say the partnership will focus on unlocking the social and economic benefits of responsible artisanal mining while protecting the environment and strengthening confidence in Ghana’s gold market.