The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 21 July 2026 an analysis titled "Ghana's Illegal Gold Mining Crisis: A National Security Threat with Regional Implications" by Edem Srem.
Ghana is experiencing an environmental crisis due to illegal, small-scale, and unregulated gold mining known locally as galamsey. According to one account, an estimated 50,000 illegal Chinese miners are now operating in Ghana, supported by broader networks of financiers, equipment suppliers, transporters, intermediaries, and informal refiners. Chinese operators and equipment have accelerated the mechanization of mining, which has led to an increase in environmental damage.
Comment: The estimate of 50,000 Chinese miners in the country seems too high, but galamsey has been a long-standing irritant in Ghana-China relations.
