"This is not a punitive measure” – Lands Minister extends deadline for small-scale miners to rectify licence irregularities

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has clarified that the extension granted to small-scale miners to regularize their licences is not intended as punishment but rather as a collaborative opportunity to clean up the sector.

“This is not a punitive measure,” the Minister emphasized, following a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) on Wednesday, July 30.

“We are providing an opportunity for the miners, the Minerals Commission, and the Ministry to work together to ensure transparency and fairness.”

The new deadline for the rectification of licence irregularities has been set for the end of August 2025.

This decision follows a formal request by GNASSM, seeking additional time for its members to address anomalies uncovered in a recent audit of 902 small-scale mining licences.

To facilitate the rectification process, the Ministry has established a dedicated help desk supported by a three-member committee tasked with guiding affected miners through the necessary documentation.

Hon. Buah also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to introducing the Cooperative Mining Scheme — a community-focused initiative designed to promote responsible mining while safeguarding operations from political or private-sector interference.

“We want a model that prioritizes accountability, community development, and the long-term sustainability of small-scale mining,” the Minister stated.

GNASSM’s National Secretary, Mr. Godwin Armah, commended the Minister for his proactive engagement and assured the Association’s readiness to comply.

“We appreciate the Ministry’s willingness to listen and act. This extension offers much-needed relief to our members and a renewed opportunity to get things right,” Mr. Armah said.

Small-scale mining remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, and this extension signals a renewed effort to ensure the sector operates within a transparent and legally compliant framework.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith