The Vice Minister of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, Sun Shuxian, has proposed a four-point plan to deepen mining cooperation with Ghana, with a focus on geological mapping, technology transfer and sustainable mining.

Sun made the proposals when he met Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, on the sidelines of the 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Tianjin, China.

The meeting, held last Thursday, brought together Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, as well as officials from the China Geological Survey and the Department of International Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

The engagement followed Armah-Kofi Buah’s address at the Ministerial Forum on International Mining Cooperation, where he called for a new paradigm in Ghana-China mining relations – one that moves beyond the export of raw minerals towards value addition, processing, skills development and industrialisation.

Vice Minister Sun said China was ready to provide technical support to Ghana’s mining and geological sector and outlined four proposals for consideration.

First, he proposed comprehensive support for geological mapping, including technological innovation and assessments of the potential of critical minerals in Ghana’s major mineral-bearing belts.

Second, he proposed the deployment of satellite remote sensing and airborne geophysical surveys to fill gaps in Ghana’s geological data infrastructure.

Third, he proposed the establishment of joint laboratories for mineral exploration, particularly for gold and lithium, supported by regular technical exchanges and specialist training programmes for Ghanaian geoscientists. The China Geological Survey would provide technical support for the collaboration.

Fourth, he proposed the creation of a dialogue mechanism on sustainable mining, mineral value chains and smart mining. China’s Department of International Cooperation would serve as the main coordinating institution, working with a joint Ghana-China technical team to ensure implementation.

Armah-Kofi Buah welcomed the proposals, describing them as critical to Ghana’s efforts to reform the mining sector, combat illegal mining, locally referred to as galamsey, and reposition the Ghana Geological Survey Authority.

“This is very important in how we collaborate on critical areas of the natural resources sector. This includes how to work with them in policing Chinese companies that are working in Ghana to make sure that they meet the highest standards,” he stated.

The Minister said under the emerging cooperation framework, Chinese nationals found to have engaged in illegal mining activities in Ghana would not only be punished under Ghanaian law but would also face sanctions in China.

“We are also collaborating with them on green mining technology, environmental protection and technology transfer. Critically, we will be working with them on geological surveys and mapping. These are very critical breakthroughs,” he added.

Armah-Kofi Buah also invited the Vice Minister of Natural Resources of China to Ghana.

Both countries agreed to constitute a joint technical team to operationalise the proposals and sustain engagement through the established dialogue mechanism.

The 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition, which opened on September 10, 2026, has brought together ministers, investors, geoscientists and industry players from more than 50 countries to deliberate on the theme, “Win-Win Cooperation, Green and Intelligent Development.”