The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Armah-Kofi Buah, has cancelled all small-scale mining licences that were issued after December 7, 2024.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Environment Minister on Wednesday, March 19, Mr Buah said they found that those mining licences were rushed and did not follow due process after a broad consultation and assessment.
“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,” he said.
He, however, added that the affected parties will be allowed to appeal to ensure the right processes are followed.
Mr Buah said this decision forms part of efforts to curb the destruction caused to the country’s forests and water bodies by illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.
Meanwhile, he revealed that seven out of nine forest reserves affected by illegal mining have been successfully reclaimed.
This comes after the Minority in Parliament blocked the laying of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which aims to revoke the President’s authority to approve mining in forest reserves, a move aimed at fighting illegal mining.
The Minority insisted that the LI undergo a pre-laying process before being formally introduced in Parliament.