Ghana to Amend Mining Law, Introduce Medium-Scale Mining as Part of Anti-Galamsey Strategy
Government has announced plans to amend the country’s Minerals and Mining Act to introduce a new medium-scale mining category as part of efforts to curb illegal mining and strengthen the sector’s contribution to the economy.
Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, disclosed the move at the 11th West and Central Africa Mining Summit and Expo in Accra. He said mining remains a critical pillar of Ghana’s economy and must be developed sustainably to serve both present and future generations.
“The government’s intention is to introduce medium-scale mining to close the gap between large mining companies and small-scale miners,” Mr. Sulemana explained.
Under the proposed framework, medium-scale operations will be permitted to use limited machinery but will be subject to strict regulation to ensure responsible practices. Large-scale mining firms will also be required to mentor medium-scale operators, equipping them with technical expertise and helping them transition to full-scale commercial mining over time.
The deputy minister added that miners currently using heavy equipment under the guise of small-scale operations will be retrained and absorbed into the medium-scale category, while small-scale mining will be reserved strictly for artisanal methods. Small-scale mining activities will be prohibited in forest reserves, water bodies, and drylands.
Both medium- and small-scale mining will remain exclusive to Ghanaians, with foreign investors restricted to large-scale ventures.
“The mining sector contributes significantly to job creation and revenue mobilization. Our goal is to create an enabling environment for large-scale mining companies while attracting new investments to strengthen the industry,” Mr. Sulemana said.
The reforms are expected to formalize artisanal mining, reduce environmental destruction, and channel more benefits from the sector into Ghana’s long-term development.
