The Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has committed to a comprehensive review of Ghana’s mining licensing regime to address inefficiencies and environmental concerns in the sector.
During his vetting in Parliament on Monday, January 27, 2025, Mr. Buah outlined significant flaws in the current system, including duplication in license issuance and inadequate regulation of small-scale mining operations.
“When I am approved as the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, my intention is to undertake a holistic review of the licensing regime,” he stated.
He revealed that under the current system, a single individual could hold as many as 50 mining licenses.
When combined, the operations from these licenses often result in large-scale mining activities, though they are officially categorized as small-scale.
Mr. Buah stressed the need for re-categorizing mining licenses to improve regulation and reduce environmental damage.
He pointed out that some licensed small-scale miners contribute significantly to water pollution and environmental degradation by failing to adhere to mining regulations.
“We must address these issues by ensuring better supervision and monitoring of miners. By organizing the sector and adopting modern technology, we can reduce the challenges we’ve faced,” he added.
The proposed review aims to streamline licensing processes, enhance accountability, and ensure sustainable mining practices to protect Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
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