President John Dramani Mahama has declared that Ghana will no longer allow unprocessed mineral ores to leave the country after 2030, as the government seeks to build local processing capacity and capture more value from its natural wealth.
Addressing the Mining in Motion Conference on Monday, October 19, 2026, he revealed that a staggered export ban will be rolled out for raw minerals such as bauxite, manganese, iron and lithium. According to him, the plan will come with the required legislation, requirements tailored to each mineral, and defined timelines for enforcement.
The President argued that Ghana can no longer be content with mining minerals and selling them abroad in their raw state. Instead, he said, the country must refine them at home and use them to power its industries.
“I’ve set a clear goal that by 2030, raw mineral ores should no longer leave our shores. Our bauxite, manganese, iron, lithium, and other minerals must support processing and industrial development here at home,” he said.
Mr. Mahama also cautioned investors that access to Ghana’s minerals will come with clear processing obligations.
“We will pursue a phased prohibition on exports of unprocessed ores, supported by the necessary legal measures, mineral-specific requirements, and transparent implementation timetables. We have already imposed a ban on the export of iron scrap and non-ferrous metals. Investors must understand the processing obligations associated with access to our resources,” he added.
Strengthening the gold sector
Beyond the planned ban, the President disclosed that Ghana is expanding its capacity for gold assaying, refining and related services, so the country can earn more from its gold.
He noted that the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and the national gold refining policy are central to this drive, which is intended to give Ghanaians a bigger role in the gold value chain rather than relying largely on raw exports.
“Through the Ghana Gold Board and our gold refining policy, we are working to retain more value through assaying, refining, and related services,” he said.
The measures are expected to boost the country’s ability to test and refine gold locally, opening up new opportunities for businesses and professionals in the mining and mineral processing industries.
Story by : Emmanuel Nettey
