Typhoon, MKS PAMP present first responsible gold bars to Asantehene

Typhoon Greenfield Development Ltd and MKS PAMP, along with Development Gold International (DGI), have introduced unique gold bars. These bars celebrate the first export of traceable and responsibly produced gold from Ghanaian small-scale mines. The presentation occurred on June 2 at the Mining in Motion summit. It took place during a gala dinner at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.

Six gold bars were donated for auction. Proceeds will support Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II’s charities for land restoration and clean water conservation. Notable attendees included various ministers from Ghana, Malawi, Niger, Liberia, DRC, Guinea-Conakry, Somalia, and Cote d’Ivoire.

This partnership marks a historic achievement for Typhoon Greenfield Development Ltd, MKS PAMP, and DGI. They produced the first 445 grams of gold at Typhoon's Adomanu mine. This gold was then exported to MKS PAMP facilities in Switzerland for refining.

The initiative helps small-scale mining operations meet international standards. It aligns with the Development Gold Ghana Performance Standard and LBMA Responsible Sourcing Programme. This achievement signifies years of collaboration and formalizes Ghana's position as a credible source of compliant gold.

Max Afriyie-Barwuah, President of DGI, called it a major milestone for Ghana's gold industry. He emphasized that it shows small-scale miners' commitment to international standards. The goal is to reduce environmental degradation while accessing responsible global markets.

Kwaku Afrifa Nsiah-Asare, CEO of Typhoon Greenfield Development Ltd, expressed excitement about this initiative. He noted that their operations are now assessed under the Development Gold standard. This partnership has improved their operational capacity and management systems.

Omar Liess from MKS PAMP highlighted the importance of responsible sourcing in Ghana's artisanal mining sector. Ruth Crowell from LBMA praised this initiative as an encouraging step forward for similar arrangements globally.

DGI’s Performance Standard was developed with experts at TDi Sustainability to verify responsible practices among small-scale miners. It aims to redefine small-scale mining in Ghana after years of illegal activities causing environmental issues.

The initiative enhances traceability through DGI’s MineTrace platform while ensuring sustainable practices. Assheton Carter from TDi Sustainability commended DGI for creating a framework that supports mine-site improvements.

LBMA launched its responsible ASM programme in 2022 to increase responsibly sourced ASM gold flow into GDL refineries. They identified Ghana as one of four promising countries for this effort.

In 2023 and 2024, LBMA plans international delegations to engage with stakeholders in Ghana’s gold supply chain. They also published an ASM Toolkit to guide GDL refineries on responsible sourcing from small-scale mines.