Ghana's small-scale mining drives gold output to record numbers

Ghana's gold production surged by 23.41 percent in 2025, reaching 5.94 million ounces from 4.82 million ounces the previous year, driven largely by a sharp increase in output from the small-scale mining sector.

Addressing the 98th Ghana Chamber of Mines Annual General Meeting in Accra, immediate past Chamber President Michael Edem Akafia said small-scale gold production rose by 63.82 percent, from 1.90 million ounces in 2024 to 3.11 million ounces in 2025.

Ghana News Agency reports the increase followed reforms in the sector, including the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), with small-scale miners accounting for 52.4 percent of national gold output.

Akafia also reported growth in the industry's contribution to the economy, noting that total mining revenue increased by 10.61 percent, from GHS21.90 billion to GHS24.22 billion.

Improved employment figures

Employment in the mining industry also expanded, with Chamber member companies increasing their direct workforce by 21.52 percent, from 11,372 workers in 2024 to 13,819 in 2025. The sector is estimated to support more than 207,000 indirect and induced jobs.

Akafia, looking ahead, said large-scale gold production in 2026 is expected to range between 3.2 million and 3.4 million ounces, while small-scale production could reach between 2.9 million and 3.5 million ounces.

"This outlook will depend on policy certainty, regulatory reforms, lease renewals, improved governance of small-scale mining, and continued investment across the minerals value chain," he said.

The Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, described the mining sector as "the heartbeat of Ghana's economy, primary driver of foreign exchange earnings and a strategic pillar of national development."

He commended the Chamber's contribution to national development and pledged government support to maintain a favourable investment environment.