962 mining licences risk revocation as government tightens grip on sector
By DL News
Published
1 min read
This strong message was delivered by the Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, following the submission of a report by a special committee tasked with auditing the country’s small-scale mining licences.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has issued a final notice to 962 holders of small-scale mining licences: fix the problems with your permits or risk losing them for good.
This strong message was delivered by the Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, following the submission of a report by a special committee tasked with auditing the country’s small-scale mining licences. The findings, presented to the Minister on Monday, 21st July 2025, paint a troubling picture.
Out of 1,278 licences reviewed nationwide, only 316 were found to be fully compliant. The rest—962 in total—were flagged for a range of issues including missing documentation, inconsistencies in application data, and irregularities in processing.
Minister Armah Kofi-Buah has given the affected parties a strict deadline: all discrepancies must be addressed by 4th August 2025, or the licences will be cancelled without exception.
He also indicated that this move marks the beginning of a broader reform agenda. The Ministry intends to overhaul the licensing framework to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance.
More details are expected when the Minister addresses the nation during the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Wednesday, 23rd July 2025.
The ultimatum is part of a wider government strategy to restore regulatory control over Ghana’s mining industry and reduce the environmental destruction caused by unregulated activities.
