Minerals Commission Meets Parliament Select Committee On Lands And Natural Resources On Mining Policy And Legal Review

Over the weekend, Sunday June 29, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi led members of the Policy and Legal Review Committee in an engagement with Parliament Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources at Safari Valley Resort in the Eastern Region. The engagement was part of a series of meetings held by the Select Committee with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and its agencies.

Mr. Ayisi took members of the Committee through the proposed amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703). He highlighted the sections of the law amended by the Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140) and explained the ramifications of the new law on the operations of the Commission. Subsequently, Mr. Benjamin Aryee, Chairman of the Review Committee and former CEO of Minerals Commission, discussed details of the draft reviewed Minerals and Mining Policy with members of the Select Committee.

Mr. Aryee explained the concept of the new government policy of Cooperative Mining. He indicated that though a form of artisanal and small-scale mining, the Cooperative Mining is intended to provide an organized mechanism for members of communities, whose livelihoods are affected by the mining activities to engage in legitimate and sustainable mining practices. It involves a group of individuals licensed from among members of identified communities and with the tacit consultation of the traditional authorities to engage in the business of mining. Members of the Select Committee requested the Commission to intensify consultations with the traditional authorities in the process of the issuance of all mining related licences. This will enhance the relationship between host mining communities and holders of mineral rights for peaceful coexistence and harmonious cooperation in the mining industry.

Hon. Alhaji Collins Dauda, Chairman of the Select Committee commended the CEO of Minerals Commission for his stewardship and for making time with his team to consult the Select Committee. Hon. Dauda admonished the Review Committee to institute policies that compels large scale mining companies to shed off unutilized mining concessions for small scale mining. He intimated that the rich mineral resources of the country must inure to the benefit of the citizens and in particular residents of host mining companies.

Members of the Select Committee also advocated for conducive measures to support Ghanaians engaged in the provision of mining support services to take on bigger projects and not limited to minor contracts. Members of the Select Committee were briefed on the situation with the Damang mine, also known as Abosso Goldfields Limited (AGL). The lease of the mine was extended by a year, under the joint transitional management plan, comprising government selected team and the management of the mine.

In his closing remarks, Hon. Alhaji Collins Dauda assured management of Minerals Commission of the willingness and commitment of the Parliamentary Select Committee to facilitate a successful passage of the proposed amendments and charged the Commission to ensure the policies inure to the benefit of ordinary citizens and the investors. On his part, Mr. Ayisi assured the Select Committee of continued collaboration in the discharge of the regulatory mandate of the Commission.

Also present were Professor Jerry Samuel Yaw Kuma, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR); Ms. Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, Communication Director, MLNR; Mr. Josef Iroko, Manager of Legal and Dr. Ahmed Tijani, Head of Corporate Affairs and Information Technology of the Minerals Commission.