Ghana’s Minerals Commission has firmly rejected extension requests from major gold miners, including Newmont Ghana. The commission has set a strict deadline for compliance with local ownership regulations by December 2026. This decision significantly impacts Newmont and other companies still operating with their own staff.
The three companies—Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, and Zijin Mining—are the last major miners in Ghana yet to transition to local contractors. Under the new rules, surface mining must be conducted by fully Ghanaian-owned firms. For underground mining, at least 50% of ownership must be Ghanaian.
Newmont requested an extension to comply fully by 2027. However, regulators rejected this request, emphasizing their commitment to enforcing the new mining regulations. Zijin’s Ghana unit has been engaging with the commission since November 2025 to align with local content rules.
Failure to meet the deadline could result in severe sanctions, including heavy fines and potential mine closures. Authorities warned that companies defying these rules may face significant repercussions. Most other large-scale miners in Ghana have already adopted contract mining practices.
This directive reflects a broader trend across African governments tightening mining regulations to extract more revenue from natural resources. The revised local content rules were implemented in January 2025, pushing for greater Ghanaian ownership in the sector.
Yet, uncertainties remain regarding how effectively these companies will adapt to the new requirements in time. The consequences for non-compliance are significant. Officials have not clarified what specific sanctions may be applied should a company fail to meet the deadline.
