Mining for a Sustainable Future: Exploring the Drivers of Green Practices in Ghana's Extractive Sector

Amid global calls for sustainable resource management, limited research explores the drivers of green mining adoption in Ghana's extractive sector. This study examines how regulatory frameworks, investor expectations, institutional commitment, and community advocacy shape sustainable mining practices, drawing on institutional theory and the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV). Using qualitative interviews with mining firms, regulators, and community leaders, findings show that regulatory enforcement, investor pressure, and local engagement drive initiatives such as wastewater recycling, tree planting, and land rehabilitation. However, weak legislation and limited adoption restrict progress. The study recommends stronger emission regulations, financial incentives for clean technologies, and improved monitoring systems. It concludes that institutional and community pressures are vital for sustainability but require greater governmental coordination to achieve systemic change. The paper advances understanding of sustainable resource governance and contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).