The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has issued a stern warning to holders of 962 small-scale mining licenses found to contain serious irregularities, stating they risk having their permits revoked within two weeks if corrective measures are not taken.
This development follows a review conducted by a special committee established to examine the integrity of small-scale mining licenses across the country.
The findings, presented to the Minister on Monday, revealed that out of 1,278 licenses assessed, only 316 were found to be in full compliance with regulatory standards.
The remaining 962 licenses were flagged for multiple issues, including documentation deficiencies, inconsistencies in procedural compliance, and concerns over data integrity.
Minister Buah emphasized the urgency of the situation, setting a deadline of August 4, 2025, for license holders to address the identified anomalies or face permanent revocation.
He described the move as a critical step in the government’s ongoing fight against illegal mining and environmental degradation.
“We will not hesitate to act against those who continue to abuse our natural resources under the guise of legal operations,” he stated. “Our commitment to protecting the environment and restoring sanity in the mining sector remains firm.”
The Minister also indicated that broader reforms are underway to overhaul the licensing system, ensuring greater transparency and accountability moving forward.
He is expected to elaborate further on these plans during the upcoming Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 23.
In addition, the Ministry has announced plans to initiate a similar audit for large-scale mining licenses, aimed at rooting out irregularities in the broader mining industry.
The action is part of wider efforts by the government to regulate Ghana’s mining sector and curb illegal operations that continue to threaten the nation’s ecosystems and communities.
