To strengthen the management of lithium resource development and production and integrate into this multi-billion dollar global industry as soon as possible, Ghana has approved a green minerals policy.

The country's cabinet approved the text of the policy on July 27, Samuel Jinapor, the minister of land and resources, said in an interview. Parliament is expected to pass the policy before the end of the year and provide clear guidelines and fiscal policies for the development of these so-called green minerals to ensure that the country can get the most from the development of resources.

"Ghana is seeking to make the best possible use of resources under realistic circumstances," Ginapol said in the capital Accra on August 3. "The green Minerals policy approved by the Cabinet requires that lithium produced in Ghana cannot be exported as raw ore."

Resource nationalism is spreading around the world as developing countries seek to reap more of the benefits of soaring mineral prices and turn to mining to address historic inequalities.

Chile, the world's second largest lithium producer, wants more of the mining profits to fund education and health care. Mexico declared lithium a strategic mineral and banned private investment.

Ghana is Africa's largest producer of gold and is rich in other so-called green minerals, including manganese, graphite and cobalt, Guinapol said. Ghana's development of lithium comes at a time when Western countries are scrambling to secure supplies of key minerals needed for the clean energy transition.

"Now we have a national policy on green mineral development, management and regulation, but some minor adjustments may be needed before it is approved by parliament and incorporated into the national mining policy document," the minister said.

Companies including Atlantic Lithium Ltd. of Australia are exploring for lithium in Ghana, but the company has yet to apply for a mining permit, Mr. Ginapol said. "When they come, the government will contact them," he said. Editor/Xu Shengpeng