GoldBod records $11.6bn in ASM gold exports in 2026

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has reported significant growth in the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) gold sector, with exports reaching US$11.6 billion between January 1 and October 20, 2026.

Speaking at the Mining in Motion Conference on Tuesday, October 20, he disclosed that GoldBod had aggregated and exported 85.4 tonnes of ASM gold during the period, exceeding large-scale gold exports, which totalled 76 tonnes valued at US$11.1 billion.

He said the figures demonstrated the increasing contribution of small-scale mining to Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings, adding that GoldBod was on track to surpass its 2025 export performance.

Sammy Gyamfi noted that ASM gold exports increased from 63 tonnes in 2024 to approximately 104 tonnes in 2025, overtaking large-scale gold exports for the first time in the country’s history.

He added that the sector generated US$10.8 billion in foreign exchange in 2025, helping to stabilise the foreign exchange market and strengthen Ghana’s reserves.

According to him, the inflows from ASM gold exports also contributed to the cedi’s 41 per cent appreciation against the US dollar in 2025, delivering broader benefits to the economy.

“The story is not different this year. In fact, it is better,” he said, expressing confidence that GoldBod would exceed last year’s performance.

He reiterated that between January 1 and October 20, 2026, the Board had exported 85.4 tonnes of ASM gold worth US$11.6 billion, compared with 76 tonnes valued at US$11.1 billion from large-scale mining over the same period.

Mr Gyamfi further emphasised that foreign exchange inflows from the small-scale mining sector continued to support foreign exchange market operations, boost reserve accumulation and promote currency stability.

He expressed optimism that GoldBod would surpass its 2025 export figures as it continues to aggregate and export gold from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.