Industry leaders and stakeholders at a summit in Accra have called for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s mining sector toward environmentally sustainable and technology-driven practices.
The event, jointly organised by Huawei Ghana and the Association of China-Ghana Mining (ACGM) LBG, highlighted the urgent need to address challenges such as illegal mining, land degradation, and climate change through the adoption of smart technologies and green frameworks.
With the theme “Safe Mines, Intelligent Mines, Green Mines,” discussions centered on how advanced tools — including Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, 5G, and smart energy management systems — could modernize mining operations while reducing environmental footprints.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, stressed that the industry’s future must focus on resilience and sustainability, urging companies to reclaim mined lands for agriculture, integrate solar energy, and use smart systems to optimize efficiency. “Mining should leave more than holes in the ground; it should build futures above ground,” he said.
Huawei showcased digital solutions such as its Smart Microgrid and Smart PV Plant Management Systems, designed to cut costs, enhance safety, and promote real-time monitoring of mining operations.
ACGM President Tang Zhejiang emphasized that mining remained vital to economic progress but warned that environmental degradation and conflicts made green mining an urgent necessity. “Green mining not only minimizes environmental footprints but also enhances biodiversity and contributes to climate change solutions,” he said.
Huawei Ghana’s General Manager, Mr Cao Hongyu, underscored that collaboration was critical for transforming the industry. He noted that the integration of advanced ICTs would accelerate efficiency, improve safety, and drive long-term sustainability in Ghana’s mining sector.
Stakeholders urged the government to provide an enabling policy environment for green and technological investments, while also ensuring that human resource development keeps pace with automation to safeguard jobs.
The summit closed with a shared commitment to build a mining industry that is smarter, safer, and greener — one that balances profitability with responsibility to people and the environment.
