New Mining Act to create District Mining Committees as revised bill awaits Parliament

Ghana's new mining law, the 2026 Minerals and Mining Bill, aims to create District Mining Committees that will give miners licenses only after chiefs verify their mining activities. This change comes in response to concerns about miners arriving in communities with licences chiefs are unaware of. The bill, laid in Parliament in May, is expected to be revised before it can become law.

Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized these reforms during a seminar at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He urged students to lead the fight against illegal mining, or "galamsey."

The bills currently cap new mining leases at 15 years, or the expected life of the mine, whichever is shorter. However, the revised version could increase this to 20 years. The bill also mandates Community Development Agreements between companies and host communities, ensuring communities benefit from the projects and local people receive training.

Licences for exploration activities will be limited to two years, after which they can be extended by five years if gold is found. Unutilized exploration licences would revert to the community for agricultural use. The government will also enforce a sliding royalty rate tied to mineral prices, up from a flat rate, and increase the state's authority to fine companies for non-compliance, up to US$150,000.