The Minerals Commission has called on the Chinese government to strengthen collaboration with Ghanaian security and regulatory agencies to tackle illegal mining involving Chinese nationals.

The Commission said the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, should be treated as a bilateral enforcement priority.

Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission Isaac Tandoh, in a keynote address at the China-Ghana Mining Cooperation Conference at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, said the activities of some Chinese nationals in illegal mining were threatening Ghana's environment, water bodies and national security.

He said several Chinese nationals had been arrested during operations on major rivers, including the Birim and Tano.

Mr Tandoh stressed that Ghanaian law reserves small-scale mining licences exclusively for Ghanaian citizens.

Under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, foreigners who engage in small-scale mining commit an offence and face prison terms of between 20 and 25 years, followed by deportation.

He also warned against fronting, where foreign entities use Ghanaian companies or individuals to acquire mineral rights.

As part of efforts to provide legal opportunities for foreign investors, he said the government was making provision for a medium-scale mining category that would allow foreign nationals to own up to 40 per cent of mining companies in partnership with Ghanaian counterparts.

Mr Tandoh also called for the implementation of an enforcement framework agreed at the 2026 China Mining Conference.

Under the proposed arrangement, Chinese nationals who violate Ghana's mining laws would face sanctions in Ghana and through Chinese authorities' mechanisms for regulating their citizens abroad.

He said the arrangement should be implemented without delay to ensure that deportation did not become a means of escaping accountability.

The Minerals Commission further urged China to help dismantle the financing and logistics networks supporting illegal mining.

"Again, we ask that you work with us to dismantle the financing and logistics networks that enable illegal mining. Galamsey is organised, financed, and equipped. The equipment, capital, and supply chains sometimes originate outside Ghana," he said.

He also called on the Association of China–Ghana Mining to promote regulatory compliance and report illegal activities involving its members and other Chinese nationals operating in Ghana.

The Commission, he said, would continue to enforce mining laws while working with investors committed to responsible and sustainable mining.

Mr Tandoh acknowledged China's contribution to Ghana's mining industry, noting that Chinese investment, technology and expertise had contributed to the country's position as Africa's largest gold producer and the world's sixth-largest.

He cited Zijin, Chifeng and Shandong as major Chinese mining companies operating in Ghana.

He said Zijin, which took ownership of the Akyem mine a year ago, had increased production by 20 per cent without expanding its workforce or upgrading infrastructure.

He also described Shandong Gold's Ghanaian operation as the best-performing mine in the group's global operations.

Mr Tandoh said Ghana valued its longstanding relationship with China but insisted that illegal mining should not undermine the partnership.

"Illegal mining has no place in this partnership, and those who engage in it — whatever their nationality — must face the full weight of the law," he said.

He added that Ghana expected Chinese investment to create decent jobs, respect the environment, support local content objectives and contribute to efforts to combat illegal mining.