In an interview with African Mining Week (AMW), Amarh said the role of artisanal miners in expanding Ghana’s mining industry continues to grow, producing 1.6 million tons of goods in 2024 alone.

Small-scale miners account for 35% of Ghana’s total gold output and directly employ over one million people, with an additional 4.5 million workers benefiting indirectly, according to Armah.

“Small-scale miners are the primary suppliers of raw materials to local downstream players for value addition,” stated Amarh.

Challenges and the Need for Geological Data

According to Armah, limited access to geological data, lack of financing and environmental degradation caused by illegal miners, are the major challenges faced by the artisanal mining sector.

“The majority of small-scale miners are working on a trial-and-error basis and we need the data to operate more sustainably. Our government is collaborating with the World Bank to provide geological data for lands allocated to small-scale miners,” added Amarh.

Armah emphasized that better geological data will unlock financing opportunities, as it allows for more accurate feasibility studies and structured funding models for mining operations.

Initiatives to Support Small-Scale Miners

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners has partnered with the government to create a task force aimed at monitoring illegal mining activities and mitigating environmental damage, Amarh told AMW.

He said the association is also involved in establishing the proposed Ghana Gold Board, which will ensure that all gold produced by local miners is first sold domestically to the government before export to international markets, improving transparency and revenue tracking.

Furthermore, the association is collaborating with industry counterparts from Zambia, Kenya, Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo to develop environmental management standards and best practices to unlock emerging opportunities in the critical minerals sector.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2025 conference from October 1 -3. in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com