The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) is collaborating with the government to establish gold processing centres for small-scale mining cooperatives, in a move aimed at improving the traceability of gold purchased from miners.
The proposed facilities are expected to help authorities verify the origins of gold entering the formal supply chain and address concerns about whether the mineral purchased by GoldBod comes from legitimate mining operations.
The government is engaging private investors to support the initiative, with some proposals already received. The first processing centres are expected to be rolled out in the first quarter of 2027.
GoldBod has expressed interest in facilitating the establishment of some of the facilities, with traceability identified as a key reason for its involvement in the project.
“Why? Because the issue of traceability comes up any time we talk about gold that is being purchased by GoldBod. So, they are also interested in ensuring that we put in place a platform that will ensure that whatever gold that they buy can be traced to the right source. And so, we are collaborating with them,” he explained.
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Dr Yusif Sulemana, disclosed the plans in an interview with Channel One TV on the sidelines of the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra. He said GoldBod had indicated its interest in supporting the process.
“GoldBod has expressed interest in facilitating the process of establishing some of these processing centers,” he said.
Beyond traceability, the centres are expected to improve gold recovery rates for small-scale miners and reduce their reliance on mercury and cyanide, which pose environmental risks.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to formalise small-scale mining through cooperative schemes, strengthen oversight of the gold supply chain and encourage more environmentally responsible mining practices.