Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has proposed a new programme, the responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), aimed at formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining. The programme seeks to register eligible informal artisanal miners into cooperatives, provide training on sustainable mining practices, and facilitate full formalization and licensing within six months. This initiative has been approved by Cabinet and is included in the Amendment Bill to the Minerals and Mining Act currently before Parliament.
The rCOMSDEP programme draws lessons from four countries that have implemented artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalization programmes: Colombia, Mongolia, Peru, and Tanzania. In Colombia, Law 2250 was passed in 2022, establishing a special framework for the legalization and formalization of artisanal and small-scale miners. Traditional miners are required to file an application to begin the legalization and formalization process under the Comprehensive Mining System. This programme is projected to continue until 2026.
Mongolia revised its ASM regulations in 2017, enabling artisanal and small-scale miners to operate legally. The Mongolian government identified artisanal and small-scale miners, compiled their details, and organized them into partnerships and cooperatives. This initiative has been commended by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), which concluded that the development of the ASGM legal framework process has shifted from shock and denial to a realization of its strong contribution to rural economic development and employment creation.
Peru established REINFO, a national register for gathering and verifying the identities and mining details of informal artisanal and small-scale miners, in 2012. In July 2025, 50,565 artisanal miners were removed from the registry for non-compliance, while 31,560 miners received an exceptional extension to continue their formalization process. The new Small-scale and Artisanal Mining Law (MAPE) of Peru allows successfully formalized miners under the REINFO 18-24 months for consolidation and integration under the new legal regime.
Tanzania's ASM formalization programme involved identifying artisanal and small-scale miners, registering eligible operators, allocating recognized mining areas, and issuing Primary Mining Licenses. The programme received a major boost in 2016 under President John Magufuli, who directed the government to give existing informal artisanal and small-scale miners more mining opportunities. Over 5,000 new mining groups were formed, and existing mines continued operations with the aim of being formalized.
The Ghana Gold Board, in partnership with the University of Mines and Technology, will provide financing support to licensed small-scale miners and licensed cooperative mines through its ASM Formalization and Financing Support Program (FFSP). This initiative will provide financing support in areas such as geological investigations, concession viability, equipment financing, land reclamation, and mercury-free processing. The programme is expected to complement the government's fight against illegal mining and enhance environmental protection.
To qualify for registration under the rCOMSDEP, an artisanal miner must not be operating in an area encumbered by a mineral right and in areas that negatively impact water bodies, forest reserves, and communities. The programme has bi-partisan support and inputs from industry stakeholders, civil society, religious organizations, opinion leaders, and Ghanaians as a whole. The rCOMSDEP is expected to create sustainable jobs for the teeming unemployed youth and promote the formalization of the small-scale mining industry.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government proposes a new programme to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining, drawing lessons from successful initiatives in Colombia, Mongolia, Peru, and Tanzania.
- The responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) aims to register eligible informal artisanal miners into cooperatives, provide training on sustainable mining practices, and facilitate full formalization and licensing within six months.
- The programme is expected to complement the government's fight against illegal mining, enhance environmental protection, and create sustainable jobs for the unemployed youth.
