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As part of its efforts to curb illicit mining, also known as galamsey, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has revoked all mining licenses granted after December 7, 2024.
The ruling aims to address the pervasive environmental damage that illegal mining activities do to water bodies and forest areas.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the sector minister, revealed that seven of the nine forest reserves impacted by illicit mining have been successfully reclaimed while speaking at a press briefing on the ministry’s policies and initiatives.
“Based on the advice and recommendations of key committees, jointly with the minister supported by the EPA, the Minerals Commission, the Forestry Commission, and the Water Resources Commission, we are taking the following steps. We are going full steam ahead to revoke all licenses based on the findings. All small-scale licenses that were issued from December 7 are hereby revoked.
“Whether you have EPA licenses or not, the finding is very clear—those licenses issued from December 7 were rushed, due processes were not followed, and the right procedures were ignored.
“However, affected parties will have the opportunity to appeal to ensure the right processes are followed” he added.
Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which aims to restrict the President of the authority to issue mining permits in forest reserves, is the subject of current legislative discussions at the time of the license revocation.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament, which demanded a pre-laying procedure prior to its official introduction, prevented Environment, Science, and Technology Minister Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala from presenting the L.I. on March 18.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
