Galamsey: Government Revokes Mining Licences issued After December 7

Accra, Ghana - 19 March, 2025 - In a sweeping crackdown on illegal mining, Ghana's government has revoked hundreds of small-scale mining licenses issued in recent months, citing widespread environmental degradation and disregard for regulatory procedures.

The decision, announced by Sector Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, affects all licenses issued after December 7, 2024. According to Minister Buah, the revoked licenses were rushed through without proper vetting, ignoring established protocols and exacerbating the country's environmental woes.

“Based on the advice and recommendations of key committees, jointly with the minister supported by the EPA, the Minerals Commission, the Forestry Commission, and the Water Resources Commission, we are taking the following steps. We are going full steam ahead to revoke all licenses based on the findings. All small-scale licenses that were issued from December 7 are hereby revoked.

“Whether you have EPA licenses or not, the finding is very clear—those licenses issued from December 7 were rushed, due processes were not followed, and the right procedures were ignored.''

“However, affected parties will have the opportunity to appeal to ensure the right processes are followed,''  he remarked at  press briefing in Accra.

Galamsey, as illegal mining is locally known, has long plagued Ghana's forest reserves and water bodies. However, the government's latest move signals a renewed commitment to tackling the issue.

Minister Buah also revealed that seven out of nine affected forest reserves have already been successfully reclaimed.

Source: Lead News Online