Lands Minister Revokes 278 Small-Scale Mining Licenses
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has revoked 278 small-scale mining licenses across the country over regulatory infractions and the expiration of operating permits.
The development was disclosed by Paa Kwesi Schandorf, Spokesperson and Media Relations Officer at the Ministry, in a Facebook post on Thursday, October 23.
According to Mr Schandorf, the decision forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to sanitize Ghana’s small-scale mining sector and enforce strict compliance with the nation’s mining laws and environmental regulations.
The revoked licenses reportedly include those belonging to operators who failed to meet key environmental, safety, and operational standards, as well as others who continued mining activities despite expired permits.
The move, he noted, underscores Minister Armah-Kofi Buah’s commitment to restoring discipline, transparency, and accountability in the small-scale mining industry — a sector that has long grappled with challenges of illegal mining (galamsey), environmental degradation, and poor regulatory oversight.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is expected to provide additional details on the affected concessions in the coming days and outline measures aimed at supporting responsible small-scale miners who operate within the legal and regulatory framework.
