Ghana orders Newmont, AngloGold, Zijin to hand mining work to locals by December 2026

Ghana has directed three of the world’s major gold producers—Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, and China’s Zijin Mining—to hand over significant parts of their mining operations to locally owned contractors by December 2026, tightening state control over an industry that generates more than $10 billion annually for the West African nation.

The order, issued by Ghana’s Minerals Commission, follows a revised local ownership framework introduced in January 2025. That policy reshaped how mining companies operate in Ghana, Africa’s largest gold producer, and set out new limits on foreign participation in day-to-day mining work. Regulators have warned that companies that fail to comply within the deadline could face sanctions.

Ghana reserves surface mining locals only

Under the rules, surface mining is now reserved for fully Ghanaian-owned firms, while underground operations must be carried out by companies that are at least 50 percent  Ghanaian-owned. The change has already forced a broad shift across the sector, with most large miners moving toward contractor-led operating models over the past year.

Still, a small group of operators has remained tied to legacy arrangements. AngloGold Ashanti said its Iduapriem mine already runs on a 50-50 joint venture contracting structure and is in the process of fully transitioning to local contractors before the end of the year. The company said the shift was planned internally before the 2025 regulatory changes and was not a reaction to the new rules.

Zijin planning tenders, Newmont extension rejected

Zijin Mining has been in talks with regulators since November 2025, outlining steps that include tender processes, technical planning for outsourced mining work and the introduction of new systems that require testing before wider rollout. The company described the phase as necessary groundwork ahead of full compliance.

Newmont, which operates the Ahafo North and Ahafo South mines, has become the focal point of the enforcement push. Government sources said its leadership recently met officials in Accra to discuss restructuring plans and timelines. The company sought an extension to 2027, citing governance obligations linked to its global listing, but regulators rejected the request.

Officials pointed to other listed miners, including Gold Fields, which have already aligned with the framework, saying the industry had sufficient time to adjust. Letters dated October and January, seen by reporters, confirmed the December 2026 deadline and reiterated the expectation of full compliance.

Africa tightens mining contract rules

Across Africa, governments are taking a firmer stance on mining contracts as they look to increase local participation and retain more value from resource extraction. In Mali, authorities reached an agreement with Barrick Gold in November after months of dispute over revised mining rules.

In Ghana, the policy shift is already changing how mines are run on the ground, with fewer expatriate-led operations and more work moving to domestic contractors. Industry officials say most large producers have adjusted, leaving only a few still working through the final stages of transition as the deadline approaches.