Government to formalise small scale mining sector- President Mahama
In a move towards an inclusive mining, the government is set to take bold steps to formalise the small scale mining sector.
This will be carried out through initiatives such as the cooperative mining and skills development programme , the Ghana landscape restoration, and small scale mining project.
Speaking at the Mining in Motion Summit held in Accra on 2nd June, 2025, president Mahama said, the reform aims to provide a legal access to land, training, equipment and shared infrastructure.
“Another pillar of reform is inclusive mining. Over one million people in Ghana depend on artisanal and small scale mining for sustainance. However, this sector has often been informal, conflict- prone and environmentally damaging. We are therefore taking bold steps to formalise the small scale mining sector through initiatives such as the cooperative mining and skills development programme, the Ghana landscape restoration, and small scale mining project.
“And as the minister said, there are various initiatives underway.
These initiatives aim at providing a legal access to land, training, equipment and shared infrastructure” he emphasized.
He also noted that the usage of mercury for mining will be eliminated, calling for safer mining alternatives .
“We also will eliminate the use of mercury and supporting environmentally safe alternatives for mining. Let me be clear at this juncture. Artisanal miners are not enemies of the state. If properly trained and supported, they can be allies in our development” he added.
