Ghana’s Minerals Commission has announced a stricter three-tier clearance process for mining activities, emphasising that possession of a mining lease no longer gives companies the automatic right to begin operations.
Deputy Chief Executive of the Commission in charge of small-scale and industrial minerals, Mr Isaac Andrew Tandoh, explained during an interview on Citi FM on Monday, 22 April 2025, that mining entities must now obtain three distinct permits before commencing work.
These include an environmental permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a water use permit from the Water Resources Commission, and an operational permit from the Minerals Commission.
“Simply holding a licence does not entitle anyone to begin mining. What we’ve observed is that people often assume they can start as soon as a permit is granted, which is unlawful,” Mr Tandoh stated.
The updated procedure comes in the wake of a recent anti-galamsey (illegal mining) operation that led to the arrest of 51 suspects, including eight Chinese nationals, and the confiscation of 30 excavators from the Tonton Forest Reserve. Authorities also seized five firearms during the operation.
According to Mr Tandoh, over 150 excavators have been seized nationwide since the start of the year, part of an intensified government campaign to curb illegal mining and protect the environment.
“This administration remains committed to fighting galamsey and restoring our forests and water bodies,” he affirmed.
Though the latest enforcement action was primarily spearheaded by security agencies, Mr Tandoh confirmed the Minerals Commission had been fully informed and involved in the operation from the outset.
“I was present with the Minister when the operations commenced, so I’ve been aware of everything from beginning to end,” he noted.
He further revealed that internal investigations are ongoing following reports of collusion between illegal miners and certain officials from the Forestry Commission. Mr Tandoh said undercover operations had uncovered evidence that some government-paid officials were part of the illegal mining syndicates.
The Minerals Commission is also conducting its own internal audits to identify and remove any personnel found complicit in illegal activities.
Mr Tandoh dismissed claims that the crackdown was politically motivated, including allegations concerning Akonta Mining’s supposed links to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s NPP or NDC. State institutions have a duty to act in the national interest and protect the environment,” he asserted.
He confirmed that the President has given full support to the enforcement measures, and stressed the need for national unity in addressing the illegal mining crisis.
“If Ghanaians don’t unite against galamsey, we’ll lose this battle. This is about humanity, our future generations, and preserving the land our ancestors left us,” Mr Tandoh said.
The new clearance system aims to close the regulatory loopholes that previously allowed mining companies to operate without full documentation, especially in sensitive ecological areas such as forest reserves.
Mr Tandoh also disclosed that the Attorney-General’s Department has been requested to begin prosecuting individuals caught engaging in illegal mining, with a special focus on offenders operating in protected forest zones.
These latest actions follow a wider shake-up in the security sector, which recently saw 38 police commanders reassigned from illegal mining hotspots.
