The Government has revoked all small-scale mining licences issued after December 7, 2024, by the past government, saying that they were not issued rightfully.
The decision follows findings from an 18-member Working Committee set up last month to review the country’s licensing regime.
Announcing the revocation at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, stated that the affected licences were not acquired through the proper legal framework, making them illegal.
“The government is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the mining sector. Any licence issued outside of the proper legal framework cannot be allowed to stand,” he emphasized.
The government’s decision comes amid concerns that mining licences were hurriedly granted in the final days of the previous administration without following due process.
Also, there have been allegations that some of these licences were issued to individuals and companies without thorough background checks or proper environmental assessments.
The 18-member Working Committee, tasked with reviewing the licensing process said it found inconsistencies in how these licences were granted.
Their interim report recommended immediate revocation to prevent further environmental degradation and to protect communities affected by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The government’s decision is in line with its broader efforts to sanitize the small-scale mining sector, which has been plagued by illegal mining, environmental destruction, and conflicts with local communities.
However, Mr. Buah assured affected miners that the government would introduce a fair and transparent process to allow genuine small-scale miners to obtain new licences legally.
“We understand the concerns of miners, but our priority is to ensure that mining activities are conducted within the law and with minimal harm to the environment,” he stated.
Nonetheless, the Committee is expected to present its final recommendations in the coming months, which could lead to further reforms, including a possible overhaul of the current licensing process.
