Minister Armah-Kofi Buah Courts Zijin Mining for African Expansion and Green Technology Hub

Ghana's Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has concluded a high-level diplomatic mission to China, urging the Zijin Mining Group to establish Ghana as its strategic springboard for expansion across the African continent. During an official visit that included tours of manufacturing facilities in Fujian Province, the Minister emphasized the potential for a long-term strategic partnership between the government and the mining giant. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to position Ghana as a regional leader in sustainable mining and a primary destination for global mining investment under the current administration.

In response to the Minister's proposal, Lin Hongfu, President of Zijin Mining Group, commended Ghana's favorable business environment and the robust support provided by the government. Following the company’s successful acquisition and operation of the former Newmont Golden Ridge Gold Mine in Akyem, Lin pledged to deepen the group's investment in the country. He highlighted Zijin's commitment to local employment and technological growth, specifically noting plans to introduce eco-friendly technologies and electric vehicles (EVs) into their mining operations to align with Ghana’s environmental and sustainability goals.

Recognizing the global shift toward cleaner transportation, Minister Buah also proposed the establishment of a specialized Electric Vehicle Capacity Building Centre in Ghana. During a visit to the Zijin Longking manufacturing plant, the Minister advocated for the training of Ghanaian mechanics to service and maintain EVs, particularly the heavy-duty electric vehicles increasingly relevant to the mining and logistics sectors. By leveraging China’s leadership in battery-swapping systems and EV technology, the Minister aims to ensure that Ghana not only imports green technology but also nurtures the local technical expertise required to sustain it.

These international efforts are being complemented by domestic initiatives focused on sustainability and policy stability. The Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) has intensified its scrap metal recovery program, collecting approximately 100 metric tons of material to improve environmental conditions and regulate the scrap metal value chain. Meanwhile, industry experts, including Gideon Ayi-Owoo of Deloitte Ghana, have emphasized that policy consistency and regulatory certainty remain crucial for attracting the long-term capital needed to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s energy and natural resource sectors.