By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has revealed that 907 out of 1,278 small-scale mining licenses are currently under review for possible revocation as part of efforts to sanitize the mining sector and ensure transparency and sustainable operations.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra. Wednesday July 23, 2025, Mr. Buah explained that the review followed the findings of the Small-Scale Mining Review Committee, which discovered several irregularities in the issuance of the licenses.
“In the fight against illegal mining, 55 small-scale mining licenses that were issued during the transitional period were revoked earlier this year. Now, 907 out of 1278 small scale mining licenses licenses are being reviewed for possible revocation,” he stated.
The Minister also disclosed that a similar review process is ongoing for large-scale mining licenses to ensure full compliance with the law.
Mr. Buah said the government of President John Dramani Mahama is committed to using Ghana’s mineral wealth to benefit all citizens. He emphasized the need to strengthen mining laws and policies, and announced that the Minerals Commission has already completed about 85% of a legislative and policy review process.
Some of the proposed changes include reducing the duration of prospective licenses, abolishing development agreements, and enforcing community development agreements. These changes, he noted, are aimed at fast-tracking development in mining communities, many of which remain underdeveloped despite years of mining activity.
“We are also introducing a medium-scale mining regime to fill the gap between large-scale and small-scale mining operations,” he added.
To boost coordination and oversight, Mr. Buah announced the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NEMOS). The Secretariat will serve as the operational hub for Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, working in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the National Security Secretariat.
Since the crackdown began, the Minister disclosed that 1,345 arrests have been made and over 400 excavators and other machines seized. Under the Forestry Commission alone, 177 excavators, 43 motorbikes, 12 vehicles, 184 chanfans, and other mining equipment have been seized, with 286 individuals arrested.
Mr. Buah praised the cooperation of key agencies, including the Attorney General’s Department, and pledged that government will continue to consult traditional leaders, civil society, and academia to shape a fair and sustainable future for the mining sector.
