IMANI Africa has called for urgent attention to the mining sector’s role in driving Ghana’s greenhouse gas emissions, warning that the industry’s diesel use, electricity consumption, and extensive supply chains are major contributors to the nation’s climate challenges.
The concerns were raised during IMANI’s stakeholder engagement on “Enhancing Governance and Accountability for Climate Adaptation & Energy Transition in Ghana’s Mining Industry,” presented by Senior Research Associate Dennis Asare.
“Over the last two decades, the energy sector has become the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Ghana.
“The reason we are paying attention to the mining sector is that large-scale mining companies alone consume about 17% of the country’s total diesel consumption.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
He said the scale of diesel dependency in mining operations means that any meaningful attempt to reduce national emissions must directly confront the industry’s energy-use patterns.
Mining Sector’s Deep Carbon Footprint
Asare explained that mining companies generate emissions across all three recognised international categories, Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 with diesel-heavy operations forming the bulk of their climate impact.
“In Scope 1 emissions, their machines and their operations heavily depend on diesel.
“This is the main driver of greenhouse gas emissions at mining sites, in addition to the land degradation resulting from mining activities.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
He added that the sector’s electricity consumption is another significant contributor. “If you check our national electricity consumption, large-scale mining companies alone consume about 7% of the total. That is their Scope 2 emissions,” he explained.
Scope 3 emissions which come from suppliers and contractors also amplify the industry’s environmental impact.
Mining companies spend heavily on local procurement, and many of the vendors supplying them rely on fossil fuels. This, Asare said, makes the mining supply chain an important but often overlooked contributor to national emissions.
“When you put these actions together, most of them influence the energy-induced effects on our greenhouse gas emissions.
“That is why the mining sector should be a critical area we look at when we talk about decarbonising and the energy transition.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
Fossil-Fuel Dominated Energy Mix Complicates Decarbonisation
The IMANI researcher argued that Ghana’s broader energy architecture heavily reliant on natural gas and other fossil fuels further complicates efforts to cut emissions from mining.
He explained that for years, the country’s thermal power plants ran largely on heavy fuel oil and crude oil, while renewable energy sources formed a small fraction of the mix.
“If you want to reverse this pattern, it means reducing diesel consumption, increasing electricity from greener sources, and ensuring mining companies buy from suppliers who also use cleaner energy. That is how we can decarbonise the mining sector.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
He added that stationary combustion from power plants and mobile combustion from transportation remain among the highest contributors to emissions within the energy sector.
“Within that, the mining sector is not the major producer, but it is a significant contributor, and that is why we think it’s important to pay attention to it.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
Mining Companies Roll Out Emerging Solutions
Asare acknowledged that many mining firms have begun taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Some are retrofitting machinery to allow the use of natural gas instead of diesel, a measure he described as “hybrid needs to mitigate Scope 1 emissions.”
“Most companies are ready for this, but because gas dispensing units or gas infrastructure are not available in many mining areas, they are unable to implement it fully.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
He further noted that battery electric vehicles (EVs) are gradually being introduced into mining fleets, but the transition remains slow.
On Scope 2 emissions, he highlighted power purchase agreements (PPAs) as an increasingly popular mechanism for sourcing renewable energy.
“Most companies are signing PPAs with utility companies that have more renewables.
“For example, Bui Power is hydro and solar, and some mining companies have become anchor clients.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
This allows them to offset a portion of their emissions and encourage expansion of clean power generation.
Mining companies are also participating in carbon credit schemes by investing in forestry and afforestation programmes aimed at mitigating their environmental impact.
“These are some of the broad measures currently being implemented, but the mining sector remains a critical area to monitor closely if Ghana is serious about decarbonisation.”
Dennis Asare, Senior Research Associate at IMANI
IMANI’s analysis underscores the importance of strengthening accountability and governance in Ghana’s efforts to achieve energy transition goals.
Asare warned that while the mining sector continues to play an essential role in Ghana’s economy, its environmental footprint cannot be ignored in conversations about climate resilience and sustainable development.
