President Mahama puts mining firms on notice over 2030 raw mineral ore export ban

Large-scale gold miners in Ghana already smelt ore into doré, a semi-pure alloy, before it leaves the mine site, so a ban on raw ore alone may have limited direct effect on bullion exports.

President John Mahama has renewed Ghana's pledge to stop exporting raw mineral ore by 2030, telling mining companies to begin processing locally as new rules requiring more of the country's gold to be refined at home take hold.

Since July 1, large-scale miners including Newmont, Gold Fields and Zijin have been required to sell 30% of their output to the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) in doré form, to be refined locally.