Ghana, Africa’s leading gold producer, has officially begun the local refining of gold produced through artisanal and small-scale mining, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of its gold industry.

The initiative is being implemented through a partnership between the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) and Gold Coast Refinery, the second-largest gold refinery on the African continent. Under this arrangement, gold purchased from artisanal miners will now be refined domestically before being exported.

Until now, a substantial share of Ghana’s artisanal gold output was exported in raw form for processing abroad, resulting in lost revenue and limited value retention for the national economy. The launch of local refining is expected to reverse this trend by allowing the country to capture more value within its borders.

Gold Coast Refinery has an initial processing capacity of approximately one tonne of gold per week, with plans to scale up operations over time. The refinery operates in line with international standards, supported by technical partnerships that ensure high levels of purity and compliance with global market requirements.

Beyond value addition, the project aims to create local jobs, strengthen the formalization of the artisanal mining sector, and improve traceability and transparency in gold production and trade. Authorities also see the initiative as a tool to combat gold smuggling and promote responsible sourcing practices.

The move forms part of Ghana’s broader strategy to shift away from exporting raw materials and toward local processing and industrialization of its natural resources. By developing domestic refining capacity, the country seeks to position itself as a regional hub for gold refining in West Africa.

With this step, Ghana reinforces its ambition to take greater control of its gold value chain and maximize the economic benefits of its status as Africa’s top gold producer.