Eyes in the Sky: How Technology is Transforming Ghana’s Gold Mining Frontier
In the heart of Ghana’s mineral-rich Western Region, the whirr of drones has become a new sound above the goldfields. As gold prices soar past $3,300 an ounce, mine operators are turning to cutting-edge surveillance to protect their concessions and combat a surge in illegal mining.
At the Gold Fields Tarkwa mine, one of the country’s largest gold operations, drones now patrol 210 square kilometers of rugged terrain and dense vegetation. These unmanned aircraft don’t just take pretty aerial shots, they are also trained to detect signs of illegal activity. When a drone spots suspicious digging, security teams can be on the scene within 20 minutes. What they usually find are abandoned pumps, trenches, and chemical-laced water. All evidence of illegal mining using mercury and cyanide.
“Without these aerial eyes, we’d never know this was happening,” said Edwin Asare, head of protection services at the mine.
Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, has long plagued Ghana’s gold industry. It threatens the environment, drains national revenue, and sometimes turns deadly. Nearly 20 people have died in violent clashes with security forces on industrial sites since late 2024.
To strengthen the response, Ghana’s Minerals Commission has set up a national drone control room. Integrating feeds from over 28 drones across the country. Some are equipped with tracking tech that can remotely disable excavators.
The shift to high-tech surveillance reflects growing pressure on both the government and mining firms to secure operations. Mines are now spending up to $500,000 annually on security alone, while also pushing for military protection in high-risk areas.
As technology tightens its grip on goldfields, the bigger challenge looms: addressing the poverty and desperation that fuels illegal mining in the first place. Until then, the drones will keep flying.
