Ghana Dissolves Community Mining Schemes to Combat Illegal Mining and Promote Community Benefits
The Ghanaian government has taken decisive action to address the pervasive issue of illegal mining by disbanding all existing Community Mining Schemes (CMS). Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced the dissolution during a press briefing, highlighting that the schemes, though intended to benefit local communities, had deviated from their original purpose. The government aims to replace the CMS with a more structured and regulated system of Mining Cooperatives, ensuring greater community involvement and representation in mining operations. This move follows an interim report from a specially appointed Working Committee tasked with reviewing the current licensing regime and recommending strategies to combat illegal mining.
The Working Committee’s findings revealed a significant disconnect between the intended purpose of the CMS and their actual operation. While the schemes were designed to empower local communities and provide them with economic opportunities through mining, the report indicated that these benefits were not being realized. This prompted the government’s decision to restructure the system entirely, ensuring that future mining activities genuinely benefit the communities they are supposed to serve. The transition to Mining Cooperatives will involve thorough due diligence and active participation from community members to establish a more transparent and equitable framework.
In addition to disbanding the CMS, the government has taken further steps to regulate the small-scale mining sector. All small-scale mining licenses granted after December 7, 2024, by the previous administration have been revoked. A Technical Small-Scale Mining Review Committee has been established to scrutinize and validate all existing small-scale mining licenses. This committee comprises representatives from various regulatory bodies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, Water Resources Commission, and the Attorney-General’s Office. This multi-agency approach aims to ensure a comprehensive and rigorous review process.
The Technical Review Committee, chaired by Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, and deputized by a Director from the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, has been given a two-month timeframe to complete its assessment. The committee’s mandate includes auditing all existing licenses to verify their legitimacy, ensuring adherence to due process, and confirming compliance with environmental protection standards, including safeguarding water bodies, forest reserves, and land preservation. Furthermore, the committee will confirm that all required permitting fees have been paid in full. License holders are expected to fully cooperate with the review process, with non-compliance leading to license revocation.
The government’s actions reflect a commitment to address the complex challenges associated with illegal mining and promote responsible mining practices. The dissolution of the Community Mining Schemes and the establishment of Mining Cooperatives signal a shift towards greater community ownership and participation in the mining sector. The rigorous review of existing small-scale mining licenses demonstrates a commitment to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and promoting sustainable mining practices. These measures aim to create a more transparent and equitable mining sector that benefits both local communities and the nation as a whole.
The collaborative efforts of the Ministries of Lands and Natural Resources and Environment, Science, and Technology in establishing a new classification for the Small-Scale Mining regime further underscores the government’s commitment to comprehensive reform. This new classification aims to create a more structured and regulated framework for small-scale mining, addressing the shortcomings of the previous system and promoting responsible mining practices. The combined effect of these measures seeks to create a mining sector that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
