The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Sulemana Yusif, disclosed that only 360 out of 1,278 vetted small-scale mining licenses in Ghana were found to be compliant, as determined by a nine-member Small-Scale Mining License Review Committee.
Speaking at the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs, Yusif, who chaired the committee, stated that the majority of licenses faced issues related to legal, environmental, and financial regulations, including proper acquisition processes, adherence to environmental standards for water bodies, forest reserves, and land preservation, and full payment of licensing fees.
Established in April 2025, the committee’s findings are yet to be presented to the sector Minister for further action to sanitize the small-scale mining sector.
The Ministry has already revoked all small-scale mining licenses issued after the December 7, 2024, general elections to address illegal mining and ensure sustainable practices.
