Government Cracks Down on Illegal Mining: Licenses Issued After December 7 Revoked

In a significant move to tackle illegal mining, the government has announced the revocation of all small-scale mining licenses issued after December 7, 2024. This decision follows the presentation of a comprehensive report by the Technical Committee jointly established by the Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, weeks ago to review the current small-scale license regime and propose recommendations on addressing the menace.

Briefing the press on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, assured the public that the government would focus on the committee’s recommendations. These include a complete overhaul of the Community Mining Scheme, decentralizing the issuance of mining licenses, and repealing LI 2462, a law that gives the President the authority to sanction mining in forest reserves.

Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah commended the committee for their dedication and described the report as a blueprint for the government’s fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. “The report has armed the ministry, and by extension the government, with all the information necessary to make punitive and radical decisions in the small-scale mining sector,” he said.

The committee’s recommendations are far-reaching. In addition to revoking post-December 7 licenses, the report calls for disbanding the existing Community Mining Schemes, which have failed to deliver on their promise of benefiting local communities. These schemes will be replaced with Small-Scale Cooperatives designed to genuinely serve and empower communities. “Existing Community Mining Schemes exist in name only,” Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah explained. “The findings show they are not benefiting the communities as intended. They will be disbanded and replaced with cooperatives formed through due diligence and proper community representation.”

The Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad, echoed the urgency of the fight against illegal mining, describing it as a moral battle to protect Ghanaian lives. He emphasized the importance of the committee’s report in guiding the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable results.

“Comprehensive reports like this are essential to streamline our measures against the galamsey menace,” Hon. Murtala Muhammad stated. He assured the public that relevant ministries and stakeholders would work together to conquer the scourge of illegal mining.

In a stern warning, Hon. Murtala Muhammad likened galamsey to an act of terrorism and vowed that no one involved, political actors or not — including members of the NDC — would be spared from punitive actions. “This is a fight we must win for the future of our nation,” he declared.

The government’s decisive actions signal a new chapter in the fight against illegal mining. With the committee’s recommendations as a guide, both ministries are poised to implement reforms that prioritize environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and transparent governance in the mining sector.

The road ahead may be challenging, but with a clear strategy and unwavering determination, the government aims to restore integrity and sustainability to Ghana’s mining industry.