The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), has emphasized the need for a review of the country’s Minerals and Mining Act (2006), citing significant advancements in technology and development that necessitate updates to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable mining sector.
As part of the review process for the mining policy, the Minister engaged the Western and Western North Regional House of Chiefs. This move aims to ensure that the proposed changes benefit all Ghanaians, particularly those in mining communities.
Hon. Buah stressed the importance of ensuring that the mining sector benefits all Ghanaians, especially those in mining communities. He noted that while the current law allows for consultation, the interests of local communities are often not adequately considered.
The proposed changes to the law include, recategorizing Mining: Reclassifying mining into medium-scale and large-scale to empower Ghanaians to venture into large-scale mining, transitional Provisions: Introducing transitional provisions to enable mining companies to transfer their operations to Ghanaians and cooperative Mining Scheme: implementing a cooperative mining scheme to empower local communities.
“We want to create community mining that truly empowers the communities,” the Minister said.
“In this scheme, for example, we can leverage the support of existing large-scale mining companies to ensure that communities are allocated viable mining areas rather than unproductive lands.”
Hon. Buah explained that the Cooperative Mining Scheme would allow local communities to organize and mine more sustainably and responsibly.
“We believe that through cooperative mining being mindful of past challenges we can ensure that communities coexist harmoniously with large-scale mining companies,” he stated.
He also announced that the Cabinet of Ghana had approved a policy on the cooperative mining scheme, which would be legally enshrined in the revised law.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, expressed support for the proposed changes and also raised concerns about the definition of Cooperative Mining and the need to prevent exploitation of local communities by outsiders.
“My understanding of community mining was that it involved indiscriminate mining in certain areas, which was labelled as community mining,” the Chief said.
“However, we later realized that even in areas where no mining had taken place, individuals exploited the system to secure land for mining under false pretences.”
Ogyeahoho Gyebi II emphasized the need for a clear definition of the Cooperative Mining and the inclusion of local communities in decision-making processes. “We need to cooperate, but we must also ensure that benefits are shared equitably,” he added.
The Minister assured that the government would collaborate with traditional authorities and local communities to ensure that the Cooperative Mining Scheme benefits all Ghanaians.