Stakeholders from Africa and around the world are preparing to gather and discuss strategies to tackle illegal mining, particularly in Ghana, while also seeking to attract international investment into the continent’s promising mining sector.
In line with this goal, the Ashanti Green Initiative (AGI) is championing efforts to formalise Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) industry, positioning the nation as a global leader in ethical gold production ahead of the 2025 Mining in Motion Summit.
Scheduled to take place from June 2 to 4, 2025, in Accra, the summit will focus on transforming Ghana’s ASM sector through formalisation, aiming to establish the country as a benchmark for responsible and sustainable gold production.
Mining governance expert Charles Kwarteng Antwi commented on the initiative, stating, “Ghana’s gold should fuel more than economic gain—it should support education, healthcare, clean water, reforestation, and the creation of resilient and thriving communities.”
He further shared AGI’s vision of a future where Ghanaian gold is fully traceable from mine to market, produced under ethical and environmentally sound conditions, recognised globally yet deeply rooted in local development, and leveraged for both national and continental economic empowerment.
Ghana currently produces over 130 metric tonnes of gold annually, with about 35% coming from ASM activities. Despite supporting more than 1.1 million people across over 100 districts, the sector remains largely informal—restricting access to financing, safety measures, and international markets.
“There’s a clear contradiction: ASM contributes over $2 billion in annual gold exports, yet the miners responsible for this output are excluded from its benefits,” Charles noted. “The answer lies in formalisation—not as a punitive measure, but as a path to empowerment.”
The Mining in Motion Summit, hosted by AGI in partnership with the World Bank, the World Gold Council, and other international organisations, will bring together key stakeholders from both public and private sectors, as well as traditional leaders and development partners.
Notable attendees will include Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and representatives from South Africa, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The event will feature visits to ASM sites undergoing rehabilitation, alongside a three-day agenda packed with panels and workshops on responsible sourcing, traceability, formalisation models, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance.
“This is Africa’s moment to lead in the global gold sector—not just as a supplier, but as an innovator, standard-bearer, and collaborative force,” Charles declared.
He also highlighted the importance of aligning with international gold standards, including the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the London Bullion Market Association’s Responsible Gold Guidance, and the UAE’s Good Delivery Standard.
However, achieving these benchmarks requires significant investment. “Building compliance infrastructure isn’t cheap—miners need training, cooperatives must be formally recognised, and certification depends on labs, logistics, and digital tools,” Charles explained. “That’s why AGI is calling for global investment to support sustainable growth and lasting impact in the sector.”