Armah-Kofi Buah Orders Overhaul of Small-Scale Mining



The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced sweeping reforms in Ghana’s small-scale mining sector, including the revocation of all licenses issued since December 7, 2024. Addressing a press conference in Accra, he said the decision follows recommendations from a Working Committee set up to review the current licensing regime and propose solutions to tackle illegal mining.

He pointed out that existing Community Mining Schemes have failed to serve their intended purpose, despite being established to benefit local communities. As a result, they are to be disbanded and replaced with Small-Scale Cooperatives that will be formed in consultation with the affected communities to ensure real economic benefits.

To further sanitize the sector, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah stated that the government has set up a Technical Small-Scale Mining Review Committee to audit all small-scale mining licenses. The committee will be chaired by Deputy Minister Hon. Yusif Sulemana and will include representatives from the Minerals Commission, EPA, Water Resources Commission, Forestry Commission, and the Attorney General’s office.

He explained that the committee’s mandate includes verifying whether mining licenses were properly acquired, ensuring that due process was followed, and assessing compliance with environmental regulations, including the protection of water bodies and forest reserves. Additionally, he said the committee will check if permitting fees have been fully paid. The committee has two months to complete its work, after which licensees who fail to comply will have their licenses revoked.

The Lands Minister also revealed that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, is introducing a new three-tier classification system for mining operations: Small Scale, Medium Scale, and Large Scale. He emphasized that this new structure will provide clearer regulations and ensure better oversight of mining activities.

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah assured Ghanaians that these measures are part of the government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable mining practices






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