CHINA MOVES CLOSER TO CONTROLLING GHANA’S MAJOR GOLD MINES

China is on the brink of gaining significant control over Ghana’s major and lucrative gold mines, reportedly due to a growing partnership between newly elected President John Dramani Mahama and his brother, businessman Ibrahim Mahama (Source: Ghanaian media reports, Joy News, 2025).The close relationship between the Mahamas and powerful Chinese business interests, particularly those investing in gold, is believed to be paving the way for the transfer of the Darman Gold Mine in Tarkwa to Chinese operators. While the Mahama-led government has stated it reached a one-year transitional agreement with the mine’s current operators (Source: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, 2025), industry analysts argue that the government may lack the capital and technical expertise to operate the mine afterward. This would likely result in a funding and operations partnership with Chinese investors (Source: Ghana Chamber of Mines, April 2025 Report).This development follows the recent acquisition of the Akyem Mine by a Chinese mining firm. Previously owned and operated by Newmont Gold Ghana Limited for over 12 years, the Akyem Mine was reportedly sold for around $1 billion (Source: Reuters, 2024). The acquisition signals a broader trend of Chinese firms expanding their foothold in Ghana’s gold sector.Chinese mining companies are rapidly consolidating their presence across the country, from the south to the north. One of their next major targets appears to be the Obuasi Mine, currently operated by AngloGold Ashanti (Source: Bloomberg, 2025). Sources within the mining industry say efforts are underway by Chinese firms to secure operational rights to this high-value asset.In addition to acquiring large-scale mines, Chinese investors have been deeply involved in Ghana’s small-scale mining (galamsey) sector. These activities, often under informal or illegal arrangements, have contributed significantly to environmental degradation, including deforestation and the pollution of rivers and water bodies (Source: Environmental Protection Agency Ghana, 2024 Report; Graphic Online).The full implications of this growing foreign control—both economic and environmental—are still unfolding. Analysts say Ghana must weigh the immediate financial benefits against the long-term costs to national sovereignty and ecological sustainability.