The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana has formalised 11 small-scale mining cooperatives as part of efforts to bring more miners into the regulated sector. This move aims to promote responsible mining practices and protect the environment. The formalisation process is part of the government's plan to regulate the mining sector and ensure that miners operate in an environmentally friendly manner.
The Ministry plans to increase the number of formalised cooperatives to about 40 by early 2027. According to the Ministry's spokesperson, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, the government is working assiduously to ensure that more eligible miners can operate legally under the formalisation programme. The programme seeks to provide small-scale miners with the necessary training and equipment to adopt better mining methods.
President John Dramani Mahama announced on October 19 that the 11 small-scale mining cooperatives had received training in improved mining methods. The Gold Board, GoldBod, is financing the use of new technologies intended to reduce environmental damage. This initiative aims to help miners adopt better methods and equipment while reducing damage to land and water bodies.
The formalisation drive follows plans by GoldBod to help eligible small-scale miners who operate outside forest reserves, water bodies, and other environmentally sensitive areas to regularise their operations. CEO of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, is spearheading the effort to support small-scale miners in adopting environmentally friendly practices.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) will engage communities to discourage people from helping miners return to illegal mining sites after enforcement operations. According to Schandorf, communal complicity enables miners to return to illegal sites, and the planned community engagements aim to encourage residents to support responsible mining and comply with the law.
The Ministry's efforts to formalise small-scale mining cooperatives are part of a broader strategy to regulate the mining sector and promote sustainable mining practices. The government aims to ensure that miners operate in an environmentally friendly manner and that the country's natural resources are protected.
The formalisation of the 11 small-scale mining cooperatives is a significant step towards promoting responsible mining practices in Ghana. The government's efforts to engage communities and provide training and equipment to miners are expected to have a positive impact on the environment and the mining sector as a whole.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has formalised 11 small-scale mining cooperatives to promote responsible mining practices and protect the environment.
- The government plans to increase the number of formalised cooperatives to about 40 by early 2027.
- The formalisation programme includes training and equipment support to help miners adopt better methods and reduce environmental damage.
