Accra: Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has extended the deadline for small-scale miners to regularise their mining licences to the end of August this year. This decision follows a petition by the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM), requesting additional time to address irregularities identified in the licensing process.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Buah announced the extension during a meeting with the leadership of the GNASSM in Accra. The meeting aimed to tackle concerns from a recent audit that highlighted 902 small-scale mining licences for various infractions. Mr Buah stressed the importance of resolving these issues promptly while ensuring fairness and transparency.
To support the rectification process, the Ministry has set up a dedicated Help Desk with a three-member committee to assist miners in regularising their documents. Mr Buah noted that the extension is an opportunity for collaboration between the Ministry, the Minerals Commission, and miners to streamline the licensing system.
Furthermore, the Minister reiterated the government's commitment to the Cooperative Mining Scheme, ensuring it would be community-driven with strict safeguards against political and private-sector interference. He highlighted that the new model would focus on transparency, accountability, and equitable local benefits.
Mr. Godwin Armah, the National Secretary of GNASSM, praised the Minister's consultative approach and confirmed the Association's dedication to working with the government to promote a sustainable and legally compliant small-scale mining sector. Mining continues to be a vital part of the country's economic development, and this collaborative effort signifies a crucial step towards ensuring a more responsible and well-regulated industry.
