Mining companies seeking licences in Ghana will be required to obtain recommendations from host communities before their applications are considered by central authorities under proposed amendments to the country’s mining laws, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has announced.
The proposed changes are contained in the revised Minerals and Mining Bill, which has been approved by Cabinet and is being gazetted ahead of its submission to Parliament.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 15, Mr Buah said the Bill is intended to establish a more transparent, community-centred and investor-friendly legal framework for Ghana’s mining sector.
A key provision of the proposed legislation is the creation of District Mining Committees, which will give communities in mining areas a formal role in the mining licence application process.
According to the Minister, mining companies will be required to begin the licensing process with host communities, whose recommendations will form part of the application before it is submitted to authorities in Accra.
He said the reform is intended to ensure that the views and concerns of communities are considered before mining rights are granted.
The revised Bill also proposes abolishing reconnaissance and prospecting licences and replacing them with a single exploration licence with a maximum duration of five years.
Mr Buah said the proposed change is aimed at reducing speculation in the mining sector, where some licence holders acquire large concessions without undertaking exploration or investment.
Under the proposed framework, holders of exploration licences will be required to demonstrate progress in implementing approved work programmes within specified timelines or risk losing their concessions.
The Minister said licence holders will be assessed after two years, with extensions granted based on satisfactory progress, up to a maximum licence period of five years.
He said the revised legislation is intended to strengthen the governance of Ghana’s mineral resources, promote responsible investment and enhance the sector’s contribution to national development.
