Ghana is preparing new wage and tender benchmarks for mining contractors as the government moves to strengthen local participation in the country’s mining industry.
The Minerals Commission says the proposed measures are intended to prevent contractors from submitting unsustainably low bids and then cutting workers’ pay or operating standards to reduce costs. Officials say workers should not be worse off as more mining activities shift to local contractors.
The regulator is developing a baseline wage framework that would establish minimum pay levels for employees of contract mining companies. It is also working on minimum tender thresholds to discourage companies from competing mainly by offering the lowest price.
The move follows concerns from Ghanaian mine workers about lower wages and weaker job security under some contract arrangements. Industry representatives have also warned that aggressive underbidding could leave contractors without enough resources for proper worker training, equipment and safety measures.
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Ghana introduced rules in 2025 requiring surface mining activities such as blasting, loading and hauling to be handled by Ghanaian-owned contractors. Underground mining operations are also expected to involve joint ventures with at least 50% Ghanaian ownership. The compliance deadline is December 31, 2026.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has opposed making contract mining compulsory, but it supports efforts to tackle unhealthy price competition. The chamber is also considering contractor classifications and minimum bid levels as possible ways to improve standards across the industry.
The Minerals Commission says the broader goal is to ensure that greater Ghanaian ownership of mining operations translates into sustainable businesses, decent jobs and fair wages.