Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has announced a comprehensive plan to restructure the country’s small-scale mining industry while ensuring strict compliance with environmental and legal regulations.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, March 19, the minister revealed that the government has established a Technical Small-Scale Mining Review Committee to oversee operations in the sector.
Under the leadership of the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the committee will conduct a thorough review of all small-scale mining permits nationwide.
“The committee is tasked with auditing all licenses to ensure they were acquired through due process and comply with environmental regulations,” Buah stated.
“They will assess the impact of mining activities on water bodies, forest reserves, and land conservation while verifying that all permitting fees and regulatory requirements set by agencies such as the EPA, Minerals Commission, and Water Resources Commission have been fulfilled,” he added.
This initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to promote ethical and sustainable mining practices while curbing illegal activities in the industry.
By Najat Adamu