Lands Ministry proposes major reforms in mining sector

Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah of Lands and Natural Resources has unveiled ambitious reforms for Ghana's mining sector, with a focus on decentralisation, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. The proposed legislation, currently before Parliament, seeks to shift the mining licensing process from a centralized system to one that begins at the district and community levels, involving local authorities in decision-making processes.

The reforms aim to address the challenges posed by illegal small-scale mining, which has led to coordination issues and the inappropriate impact of mining activities on communities, farmlands, and forest reserves. The proposed law would also introduce opportunities for medium-scale mining for Ghanaians, with exploration licences limited to a maximum of five years.

Companies found to be unproductive within the first two years would be required to surrender their concessions, allowing the land to be returned to productive use.

In terms of community participation, the government intends for mining companies to establish community mining agreements as part of their broader mining leases, ensuring that communities directly benefit from the resources extracted from their lands. This includes investments in education, healthcare, and the development of local expertise, with mining companies required to work with communities to produce geologists and mining engineers over the next decade.

Environmental concerns are also addressed in the reforms, with approximately 9,000 hectares of forest reserves destroyed through mining activities and more than 60% of Ghana's water bodies polluted. The government is prioritising the reclamation of degraded lands and the restoration of forest reserves through tree-planting initiatives.

Over 2,500 people have been trained to support environmental restoration activities across more than 10 regions. The government has also launched the Responsible Cooperative Mining Programme, which has trained more than 10,000 miners and established over 20 mining cooperatives, with a target of 70 cooperatives by the end of the year.

The Ministry emphasizes that the proposed reforms, strengthened enforcement, and the Responsible Cooperative Mining Programme are part of a broader strategy to combat illegal small-scale mining and promote the sustainable management of Ghana's mineral resources.