Gov’t Directs Newmont, AngloGold, Zijin to Shift Mining Operations to Local Firms by December
The Minerals Commission has directed major international mining companies—Newmont Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti, and Zijin Mining—to transition their mining operations to locally owned contractors by December 2026 or face sanctions.
The directive follows Ghana’s revised local content regulations introduced in January 2025, which require that surface mining be undertaken by fully Ghanaian-owned firms, while underground mining must involve companies with at least 50 percent local ownership. Although most large-scale mining firms in Ghana have already complied by outsourcing operations, the three companies are among the last to fully implement the transition.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Minerals Commission communicated the directive through official correspondence issued between October 2025 and January 2026, setting a firm deadline for compliance. Companies that fail to meet the requirement risk significant financial penalties and, ultimately, the possible suspension of their mining operations.
Newmont Corporation had reportedly sought an extension to 2027, citing additional regulatory and governance obligations as a publicly listed firm. However, the request was rejected following discussions in Accra between its Chief Executive Officer, Natascha Viljoen, and the regulator. Authorities noted that other listed mining companies had already met the requirements, making further delays unjustifiable.
Meanwhile, Zijin Mining indicated it has been engaging with regulators since late 2025 to facilitate compliance, including preparing tenders and technical frameworks to transition to contract mining while integrating new technologies. AngloGold Ashanti has not publicly commented on the directive.
Industry stakeholders, including the Ghana Chamber of Mines, are reportedly in discussions with the Minerals Commission, with some expressing concerns that the transition should be driven by operational efficiency rather than strict regulatory enforcement.
Government sources maintain that the policy is intended to strengthen the capacity of Ghanaian mining service providers and ensure that more value from the country’s mineral resources is retained locally. Firms such as Rocksure International and Engineers & Planners have been highlighted as examples of local companies capable of taking on expanded roles in the sector.
The move reflects a broader trend across Africa, where governments are tightening control over natural resources to maximise economic benefits, and underscores Ghana’s push to deepen local participation in its mining industry.
