Government to begin registration of small-scale miners next week

The government will next week start the registration of small-scale miners under a new programme aimed at formalising the sector and addressing illegal mining.

The initiative, known as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, will be rolled out directly in mining communities, where teams will visit miners to capture their details and bring them into the formal system.

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, announced this when he addressed the Mining and Minerals Convention in Accra on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

He said the registration formed part of wider reforms to make small-scale mining a lawful and environmentally sustainable activity while protecting livelihoods.

Licensing audit and sanctions

Alhaji Sulemana also said the government would carry out an audit of all mining licences.

He explained that strict and fair sanctions would be applied to restore discipline in the licensing regime and ensure compliance with the law.

Adding value to minerals

He noted that the government was committed to moving away from the export of raw minerals. According to him, more attention would be given to downstream processing and value addition so that the wealth created from gold and other resources benefits Ghanaians.

“Mining must serve as a catalyst for industrialisation, infrastructure development and community growth,” Alhaji Sulemana said.

He added that investors would be encouraged to partner government in setting up processing facilities and mentoring local businesses.

On the environment, the Deputy Minister said mined-out lands would be reclaimed and turned into agricultural hubs and community assets.

He explained that this would help ensure mining communities benefited from the country’s mineral resources.

Digital tools for transparency

Alhaji Sulemana further outlined plans to use technology to improve monitoring in the sector. These include digital tracking of equipment, mineral traceability systems, and FinTech-enabled solutions to build investor confidence and strengthen oversight.

He stressed that the reforms were designed to ensure the benefits of Ghana’s mineral wealth reached ordinary citizens, especially women, youth, and mining communities.

“The opportunity is even greater than the task ahead of us. Ghana’s mineral wealth must become the backbone of a sustainable and globally competitive economy,” Alhaji Sulemana said.