Ghana’s mining sector, long powered by imported machinery and materials, may finally be inching toward a homegrown industrial breakthrough. And for Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the moment to back local manufacturers and keep more value in the country has never been more urgent.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Mining Industry Marketing Expo (MIME) at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, Dr. Ashigbey noted that although the mining industry spent about US$3.5 billion last year on products and services sourced “locally”, a significant share of that amount still flowed out of the country through imports channelled by Ghanaian intermediaries.
“A large chunk of what we classify as local content is simply imported through Ghanaian agents,” he said. “Before the last ounce of gold, ton of manganese, bauxite or diamond leaves the ground, Ghana must build manufacturing capacity that captures more of the value.”
He pointed to emerging success stories as proof that this shift is not only possible but already underway. Local firms such as Star Steels Limited, Qualiplast Limited and Mark Partners, he said, have demonstrated that high-quality mining inputs can be produced competitively in Ghana. Star Steels, a platinum sponsor of the event, is already manufacturing grinding mill components that meet global standards.
“If mining companies procure these locally, the jobs, profits and taxes stay in Ghana. That is the transformation we want to encourage,” he added.
Building on this momentum, Dr. Ashigbey revealed that the Chamber is backing its advocacy with practical investments. In partnership with UMaT, led by Professor Buah, the Chamber is working to develop a Ghana-made substitute for activated carbon — a product for which the mining industry has a US$40 million annual demand. Activated carbon, he explained, can be produced from palm kernel shells, coconut shells and bamboo, and a prototype reactor has already been built. Tests by some mines have shown that the local samples meet the required standards.
He added that cultivating oil palm and coconut trees for raw materials could also support land reclamation in areas scarred by illegal mining. Beyond products, he emphasised the urgent need to scale up local mining services, saying Ghanaian companies should aim not only to support domestic mines but compete across other African mining hubs. “Our target is that by 2028, when the Chamber turns 100, most of the industry’s local content inputs will be manufactured here in Ghana,” he said.
Madam Victoria Awuni, Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission responsible for Policy Planning, Mineral Titles and Local Content, reinforced the call, saying true local content can only be achieved through strong partnerships, joint ventures and deliberate collaboration. Companies, she noted, must embed local content into their organisational mindset rather than treat it as a regulatory obligation. “When local communities thrive, the mining sector and the nation thrive,” she said.
Highlighting the benefits of local investment, Mr. Udbhav Bhuwalka of Star Steels Limited said the company had commenced operations at its Forged Grinding Media plant, creating 700 direct and 500 indirect jobs. He added that the company had partnered Ghanaian suppliers for materials, packaging and logistics, while offering world-class technical training to local engineers and technicians.
Mr. Ebenezer Cobbinah, Municipal Chief Executive for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, commended mining companies for working closely with the Assembly in areas such as health, education, sanitation and road infrastructure support that he said had helped improve conditions in host communities.
Chairing the event, Professor Mrs. Grace Ofori-Sarpong Akuffo, Pro Vice-Chancellor of UMaT, said the university was pleased to host MIME, stressing that as new mining technologies and ore-processing methods emerge, strong collaboration with industry is essential. She said such partnerships would ensure that students are adequately prepared for the rapidly evolving mining landscape.
