276 small-scale mining licenses revoked over regulatory breaches

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has revoked 276 small-scale mining licenses across the country over breaches of mining regulations and expired operating permits.

The statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, October 23, by the Ministry’s Spokesperson and Media Relations Officer, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, forms part of the government’s renewed efforts to restore discipline and accountability in the small-scale mining sector.

The revocation targets operators who failed to meet environmental and safety requirements or continued mining activities beyond the validity of their licenses.

The measure underscores the Ministry’s determination to ensure that small-scale mining, one of Ghana’s most critical economic activities, operates within the confines of the law.

The move reflects Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah’s firm position on sector reform and environmental sustainability.

The minister has consistently emphasized that the government will not hesitate to sanction individuals or firms that violate mining laws.

The revocation of the licenses comes amid growing public concern about the negative impact of illegal and unregulated mining, popularly known as galamsey, on Ghana’s rivers, forests, and farmlands.

Many civil society organisations have long urged stricter enforcement of mining regulations, noting that many operators continue to flout the law despite repeated warnings.