GoldBod, Zimbabwe’s Better Brands Begin Talks on ASM Financing Hub for Ghana
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has commenced engagements with Better Brands of Zimbabwe aimed at advancing the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Ghana, with a strong focus on financing and structural support for miners.
The discussions centre on the proposed establishment of a dedicated financing centre to support artisanal miners, particularly those engaged in hard rock mining, by improving access to capital, equipment, and technical services.
Beyond financial support, the initiative will also explore the provision of machinery such as processing plants and other production equipment to optimise gold recovery and reduce mercury use.
Better Brands, a Zimbabwean firm with experience in formalising small-scale mining operations, is expected to share technical expertise and investment models that have improved yields and compliance in southern Africa.
Officials at GoldBod say the collaboration is part of a broader strategy to sanitise the ASM sector, increase Ghana’s official gold output, and ensure miners operate within environmental and safety standards.
For years, a lack of financing and modern equipment has forced many small-scale miners into unsafe practices and illegal operations, known locally as galamsey.
“The financing gap is the biggest barrier to formalisation,” a GoldBod representative noted. “If we can give miners access to credit and efficient plants, we reduce the incentive to use mercury or encroach on forest reserves.”
The proposed centre would offer equipment leasing, assay services, and business training, helping miners move from subsistence digging to structured, traceable operations.
If successful, the GoldBod–Better Brands partnership could become a model for South-South cooperation in responsible small-scale mining, linking Ghana’s gold sector with technical and financial innovation from Zimbabwe.
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