Afrimex is a leading name in Ghana’s burgeoning gold mining industry, with the company providing a full spectrum of gold mining and mining assistance services, as well as supporting clients in the buying and selling of gold. Its founders recently attended the LBMA/LPPM Global Precious Metals Conference in Koyoto, Japan, to exchange ideas and build lasting connections.
This article will take a closer look at gold mining in Ghana and measures implemented by the Ghanaian government and forward-looking, socially responsible companies like Afrimex to make the industry more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Socially responsible gold mining companies are increasingly investing resources in initiatives to limit and mitigate the impact of mining on environments and communities. As one of the country’s key sources of income, mineral wealth continues to play a crucial role in economic development in Ghana, a country whose gold mining history spans several centuries and which today ranks as the top gold-producing nation globally.
In July 2025, the Ghanaian government announced the launch of a special task force to combat illegal gold mining and smuggling. The chronic challenge of illegal mining is one that has plagued the West African nation for some time, with policies addressing the issue forming an integral part of President John Mahama’s 2024 manifesto, such was the public’s concern on the issue. Inaugurating the GOLDBOD Task Force, President Mahama cited its creation as a signal of his government’s readiness to act decisively. Comprised of officers from the military and various security agencies, the task force is empowered to arrest and detain suspects. Its launch followed the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board agency, Ghana’s sole legal entity responsible for managing all gold transactions and exports by small mining companies.
Announcing the GOLDBOD Task Force’s launch, President Mahama pledged that its agents would strive to curb the proliferation of illegal gold miners, dismantling “the black-market economy surrounding gold.” Touting what he hailed as the rebound of the cedi currency, he warned all those involved in gold smuggling and illegal trade that “the law will be enforced without fear or favour.”
The unveiling of Ghana’s new government task force came in the wake of huge protests across the country against illegal mining, which is believed to have caused pollution in many rivers. Addressing this political hot-button issue in his election manifesto, President Mahama pledged to eradicate gold smuggling and illegal mining once in office. He emphasized how the task force members would wear body cameras, paving the way for complete transparency and accountability by monitoring their actions in real time.
The Ghanaian government also plans to limit mining license durations and impose direct revenue-sharing between mining companies and local communities as part of a swathe of far-reaching mining reforms. The overhaul reflects a wider trend across West African nations, where governments are amending their mining codes with the ultimate goal of capturing more value from rising commodity prices. Reflecting on the legislative changes, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Lands and Natural Resources Minister, pointed out that Ghana does not “do retrospective laws,” offering assurances that existing agreements were sanctified and would be respected. However, moving forward, the industry is poised for some significant changes, with prospecting licenses no longer held indefinitely under the proposed law changes and a maximum term for mining leases lowered from 30 years to a shorter period.
Headquartered in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, Afrimex is committed to providing unmatched value in the gold mining sector. Serving as more than just a service provider to the businesses it supports, instead acting as a partner in progress, the company offers an array of specialized ground engaging tools tailored for a full spectrum of machinery. In addition to providing ground engaging tools, heavy-duty equipment, and spare parts, Afrimex also assists clients in the buying and selling of gold, providing an array of different investment options catering to a diverse selection of investment styles and risk tolerance levels.