The Government has suspended all activities under reconnaissance licences granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Limited for offshore mineral exploration in Ghana’s territorial waters.
The suspension, directed by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, follows concerns raised by key stakeholders over the potential environmental and ecological effects of the proposed exploration activities.
The Minerals Commission, in a statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Isaac Tandoh, said stakeholders had also raised questions about whether adequate consultations had been held with communities, groups and other persons who could be affected by the operations.
The Commission said the concerns needed to be properly addressed before the company could proceed with its proposed activities.
It said allowing the operations to continue without resolving the concerns could create regulatory challenges and prevent the company from securing the necessary social acceptance for its activities.
The suspension is intended to provide an opportunity for the relevant regulatory, environmental, ecological and social issues to be examined through appropriate stakeholder consultations.
Under the directive, Gold Coast GRC Ghana Limited is required to immediately suspend all activities under the reconnaissance licences.
The suspension will remain in force until the Minerals Commission completes the necessary consultations and written authorisation is issued by the Minister for activities to resume.
The company has also been directed to cooperate fully with the Minerals Commission, relevant state institutions and stakeholders throughout the suspension period.
Licence Did Not Authorise Immediate Exploration
The Minerals Commission said the reconnaissance licences were granted to Gold Coast GRC Ghana Limited on February 9, 2026, after the Minister approved the Commission’s recommendation.
However, it stressed that the granting of the licences did not automatically authorise the company to begin exploration activities.
The Commission said it had previously informed the company that it was required to obtain all necessary authorisations and permits from the relevant state institutions before undertaking exploration.
The latest directive therefore places the proposed offshore gold exploration on hold while outstanding environmental, ecological, regulatory and social concerns are addressed.
The development comes amid growing concerns among civil society organisations and other stakeholders about the potential impact of offshore mineral exploration on Ghana’s marine ecosystem, fisheries and coastal communities.
The consultations are expected to help determine whether the proposed activities can proceed in a manner that meets Ghana’s environmental, regulatory and stakeholder requirements.
