By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Dec. 23, GNA – Ghana and China have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening responsible, green and mutually beneficial mining cooperation at the 2025 Annual Conference and Chairman Rotation Ceremony of the Association of China–Ghana Mining (ACGM) held in Accra.
The ceremony brought together senior government officials, diplomats, Chinese industry leaders among others.
It marked the formal transition of leadership from Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, outgoing Chairman of the Association and head of Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited of Shandong Gold to Mr. Wang Jinquan.
Mr Wang assumes the chairmanship at a time of renewed political backing for China–Ghana economic cooperation following high-level engagements between the two countries’ leaders.
The Association of China–Ghana Mining (ACGM) serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among Chinese mining companies operating in Ghana, regulators and other stakeholders, with the objective of promoting responsible investment, regulatory compliance and sustainable development in the mining sector.
The Association works closely with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the media to align mining activities with Ghana’s national development priorities.
China has become a significant partner in Ghana’s mining industry in recent years, with investments increasingly focused on technology transfer, local content, skills development and environmentally responsible operations.
This evolving cooperation has coincided with Ghana’s broader push to maximise value from its mineral resources while reducing environmental impact and strengthening community benefits.
Activities implemented during the tenure of the outgoing Chairman, Mr. Tang Zhenjiang, underscored the scale and direction of this cooperation, particularly at Shandong Gold’s Cardinal Namdini Mining Company in northern Ghana.
The company is developing a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power project expected to cut carbon emissions by about 92,000 tonnes annually, while supporting innovative solar–agriculture initiatives.
In 2025 alone, local procurement and employee wages linked to the project exceeded US$330 million.
Beyond flagship investments, ACGM member companies have supported scholarships, youth skills training programmes, community welfare initiatives and national campaigns, reflecting a broader effort to align mining operations with environmental sustainability, social responsibility and community harmony.
Mr Tang said the Association had also partnered the Ghana News Agency to train journalists on green mining and responsible reporting, while providing more than GH¢900,000 in cash and in-kind support to communities and individuals across the country.
He stressed that Chinese mining investments were increasingly designed to integrate technology transfer, local procurement and employment expansion, infrastructure development and environmental stewardship.
It aims to ensure that mining revenues circulate within Ghana’s domestic economy and support long-term regional development.
Mr. Tang said the Association had remained steadfast since its establishment in advancing mining and industrial chain cooperation between China and Ghana, with a focus on delivering tangible benefits to local communities, strengthening Ghana’s mining value chain and promoting sustainable development.
He noted that the Association’s work aligned with the principles outlined earlier this year during President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to China, where President Xi Jinping underscored sincerity, equality, mutual benefit and a balanced approach to justice and interests as the guiding framework for bilateral cooperation.
Mr. Tang highlighted concrete outcomes achieved under his tenure, including the introduction of intelligent mining systems, green energy solutions, and the establishment of a training centre in collaboration with Chinese universities to build Ghanaian technical capacity.
Mr. Wang Jinquan, accepting the mandate as new Chairman, expressed gratitude to the Government of Ghana, the Chinese Embassy and industry stakeholders for their guidance and support, and paid tribute to the foundation laid by his predecessor.
He said the Association was entering a new phase of deeper cooperation, shaped by recent commitments by the leaders of China and Ghana to elevate collaboration in mineral resources, infrastructure and environmental protection.
Mr. Wang outlined a development agenda centred on three priorities: strategically aligning the Association with the broader China-Ghana cooperation framework, placing member services at the heart of its work, and embedding responsibility, localisation and green mining practices into long-term planning.
He said the Association would strengthen coordination with Ghanaian institutions, promote international standards, technological innovation and efficient management, and support talent development and community-driven initiatives.
Mr Tong Defa, The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, described mining cooperation as a vital bridge connecting the development strategies of the two countries and improving the welfare of their peoples.
He praised Mr. Tang’s dual role as Association Chairman and leader of Cardinal Namdini Mining, citing the project as one of the largest greenfield Chinese mining investments in Africa, with significant job creation, skills transfer and community development outcomes.
The Ambassador expressed confidence in the new Chairman and urged the Association and its members to deepen cooperation in innovation and smart mining, promote coordinated industrial chain development, adhere to sustainable practices, and strengthen talent exchanges to support Ghana’s transformation of mineral resources into lasting development momentum.
Mr. Isaac Andrews Tandoh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, commended Chinese investors for their contributions to employment, productivity, safety and skills development, while stressing the importance of genuine partnerships that advance local content and value addition.
He said the Commission would remain firm against “fronting” arrangements and encouraged transparent engagement to ensure mining growth benefits Ghana equitably.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, described relations between the Chamber and the Association as constructive and cordial.
He noted that Chinese enterprises continued to make meaningful contributions across mining value chains.
He called for continued dialogue on fiscal reforms, including royalty frameworks, to strike a balance between national benefits and a competitive investment climate.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie