Zara
Zijin Golden Ridge Limited has announced a total economic contribution of over GHC 7 billion to Ghana’s economy in 2025, marking its first full year of operations in the country.
The company disclosed this in a media statement issued in Accra on April 14, 2025, to commemorate its first anniversary.
The investment spans direct fiscal payments, local procurement, employment, and community development, positioning the firm as a major economic contributor within a short period.
Strong Fiscal Contributions
According to the statement, Zijin Golden Ridge made direct fiscal payments of GHS 2.18 billion to the state. This includes corporate income tax, mineral royalties, forestry levy, employee income taxes, withholding taxes, and government free-carried interest.
Corporate income tax accounted for the largest share at GHC 1.41 billion, followed by mineral royalties of GHC 432 million, calculated at 5 percent of gold revenue. Other contributions included GHC 138.9 million in PAYE, GHC 93.8 million in withholding taxes, GHC 52.7 million as forestry levy, and GHC 51.6 million representing government free-carried interest.
Boost to Local Businesses
Local procurement emerged as the company’s biggest economic impact area, amounting to GHC 4.193 billion in 2025. The company sourced the majority of goods and services from Ghanaian suppliers, strengthening local supply chains and supporting indigenous businesses.
Strategic engagements with state-owned institutions such as the Volta River Authority (VRA), GRIDCo, and GOIL also contributed to reinforcing national enterprises.
Employment and Community Inclusion
Zijin Golden Ridge maintained a workforce of 1,235 people, comprising 760 direct employees, 457 contractor staff, and 18 national service personnel. The total annual labour cost stood at GHC 606 million.
The company also emphasized local participation, noting that 597 employees were drawn from host communities. Of this number, 371 were directly employed by the company, while 226 worked with contractors, reflecting efforts to ensure that nearby communities benefit directly from mining operations.
Community Investments
On the social front, the company invested over GHC 15.5 million through structured development initiatives, including the Zijin Akyem Development Foundation and the Ntiamoah Foundation.
Additionally, about GHC 38 million was spent on broader socioeconomic interventions covering education, healthcare, housing, agriculture, sanitation, resettlement support, alternative livelihoods, and cultural preservation.
Further support was extended through contributions to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) scholarship scheme, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, and sponsorship of World Environment Day activities.
Commitment to Responsible Mining
Chief Executive Officer Leon Zhang stated that the company’s first year demonstrates that responsible mining and local value creation can go hand in hand.
“In one year of operations, we have demonstrated that responsible mining and meaningful local value creation are not competing priorities—they are the same priority,” he said.
Zijin Golden Ridge’s first-year performance underscores its growing role in Ghana’s mining sector and its broader contribution to national development.
