Ministry of Lands to revoke more mining licences
Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources plans to cancel more unauthorized permits held by small-scale miners as officials work to clean up the mining industry. The ministry wants to enforce laws and create responsible mining practices nationwide.
Abdul Waliu Kabore Mahmud from the ministry said officials reviewed 907 mining permits on June and asked holders to provide correct documents. After the deadline passed, authorities found problems with 278 permits that had expired or violated rules. Officials have already canceled 374 permits as part of the cleanup.
The ministry will next examine large mining companies to verify that they comply with national regulations. Workers received 24 Toyota Land Cruisers to help monitor mining sites across the country. The vehicles will go to the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency and Water Resources Commission.
Mahmud said stronger enforcement will push miners to follow the law or risk losing their permits and facing penalties. The ministry based its actions on the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 and related regulations of 2012.
