Ghana, World Gold Council Partner to Tackle Illegal Mining
In a major boost to efforts to promote sustainable mining and safeguard the future of Ghana’s gold industry, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has entered into a landmark partnership with the World Gold Council (WGC), the global authority on gold with extensive international expertise and market reach.
The collaboration aims to confront illegal mining head-on through the creation of a pioneering, fully traceable gold supply chain. Central to this initiative is the establishment of regulated community processing plants under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), designed to formalise small-scale mining, enhance accountability, and promote responsible practices across the sector.
Beyond curbing illegal activities, the partnership is expected to deliver broader social, economic, and environmental benefits, including improved livelihoods for mining communities, reduced environmental degradation, and increased confidence among international buyers in Ghanaian gold. By aligning local mining practices with global responsible sourcing standards, the initiative positions Ghana as a leader in ethical gold production and strengthens its standing in the global gold market.
