The Ghanaian government has revoked 278 small-scale mining licenses across the country in a major move to enforce mining regulations and combat illegal operations, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources announced on Thursday.
According to the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the decision, revealed in an official Facebook post on October 23, is part of a broader campaign to promote accountability and environmental responsibility within the mining industry.
Schandorf stated that the revoked licenses belonged to operators who had violated key environmental and safety standards or continued mining after their permits had expired.
The action underscores the determination of Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to restore discipline and sustainability to Ghana’s small-scale mining sector.
For years, authorities have battled the rise of galamsey; illegal mining activities that have caused severe environmental degradation, including the pollution of major rivers and farmlands. The government says it will continue to tighten oversight and enforce compliance to protect Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
