The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, has terminated 278 small-scale mining licenses across the country following widespread regulatory violations and expired operating permits.
According to Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the Media Relations Officer at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the decision forms part of a renewed government effort to sanitize the small-scale mining sector, promote responsible mining, and protect Ghana’s lands and water bodies from further degradation.
The revoked licenses include those of operators found to be engaging in illegal mining (galamsey), operating beyond designated concessions, or failing to meet environmental and safety requirements stipulated by the Minerals Commission.
Mr. Schandorf emphasized that the Ministry is not against small-scale mining, but is determined to ensure all operations comply with Ghana’s mining laws and environmental standards.
“This exercise is a clear signal that the era of unregulated mining is over. Those whose licenses have expired or breached conditions must reapply properly or cease operations entirely,”
he noted.
The Lands Ministry has also warned that it will publish the list of affected companies and intensify field monitoring in collaboration with the Minerals Commission, EPA, and security agencies to enforce compliance and clamp down on illegal activities.
