The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), in collaboration with Better Brands Zimbabwe, has initiated engagements to advance the formalisation of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in Ghana, with a strong emphasis on financing and structured support systems, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
According to GoldBod, Central to the discussions is the proposed establishment of a dedicated financing centre aimed at supporting artisanal miners, particularly those involved in hard rock mining. The facility is expected to improve access to capital, equipment, and technical services, key constraints that have long limited productivity in the sector.
Beyond financial support, the model will incorporate the provision of critical mining inputs, including milling equipment, explosives, generators, and fuel, to enhance gold recovery efficiencies.
The initiative directly addresses one of ASM’s most persistent challenges: limited access to formal financing. This constraint has historically kept many operators in the informal economy, restricting growth, compliance, and value realisation.
Stakeholders engaged in the process, led by GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, indicated that the financing centre will operate as a hub for tailored financial solutions. These will include credit facilities, equipment leasing, and operational support mechanisms designed specifically for small-scale miners.
By closing capital gaps, the model is expected to incentivise miners to transition into the formal sector while adopting safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible mining practices.
GoldBod, Ghana’s state-backed gold trading and regulatory institution, continues to play a pivotal role in improving traceability, ensuring fair pricing, and curbing illicit gold trade. Its collaboration with Better Brands Zimbabwe reflects a broader shift toward leveraging private sector expertise and cross-border partnerships to strengthen ASM value chains.
Better Brands Zimbabwe is expected to contribute technical expertise and market-driven insights, particularly in gold aggregation and supply chain structuring. This is anticipated to create more reliable and transparent market access for small-scale miners in Ghana.
Despite being a major contributor to Ghana’s gold output, the ASM sector continues to face challenges related to informality, environmental management, and regulatory compliance—particularly in hard rock mining, which demands higher capital investment and technical capacity.
The proposed financing centre, coupled with technical and operational support, is therefore seen as a critical intervention to unlock productivity, improve compliance, and increase official gold deliveries through formal channels. It is also aligned with national efforts to maximise value from the gold sector while safeguarding livelihoods.
Timelines have already been set for site selection and mobilisation, with implementation expected to commence within the coming months.
Since its establishment, GoldBod has actively engaged investors and stakeholders to drive strategic reforms within Ghana’s gold sector. Within a year, these reforms have reportedly delivered measurable results, supporting gold accumulation efforts and strengthening foreign currency inflows.
Better Brands Zimbabwe, a prominent multi-sector conglomerate operating across Africa, plays a key role in Zimbabwe’s gold ecosystem as the government’s largest gold-buying agent. The company aggregates gold primarily from artisanal and small-scale miners and has extensive experience in providing financial, technical, and operational support to enhance production output.
