Ghana District Mining Committees: Issue Licenses Under New Act

• Ghana's new Mining and Minerals Act will enable District Mining Committees to issue mining licenses at the local level.
• This change, announced by Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, aims to decentralize the Ghana mining license application process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
• Mining companies will now be required to sign a "Community Development Agreement" with host communities as part of their legal obligations.
• The initiative seeks to promote responsible mining and replace illegal "galamsey" operations that have damaged the environment.
• The Minerals Commission will oversee compliance, and cooperatives are expected to fund reclamation and community development.

A key innovation under this new act is the mandatory requirement for mining companies to enter into a "Community Development Agreement" with their host communities.

Ghana's Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced a significant shift in the nation's mining license application process. Speaking at the launch of the Ellembelle Cooperative Mining Societies in Nkroful on October 19, 2026, the Minister revealed that District Mining Committees (DMCs) would now be responsible for issuing mining licenses at the local level. This change is a direct result of the new Mining and Minerals Act, aiming to streamline the process for companies seeking to operate in Ghana.

The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle emphasized that the acquisition of mining licenses would commence at the district where a prospective mining company intends to establish operations. This new approach is designed to eliminate the previously arduous requirement for applicants to travel to Accra to navigate the licensing bureaucracy. The Ellembelle District Mining Cooperative Societies, including Nkroful-Atomic, Kikam, Salma, Asanda, Bomoakpole, and Nzema-Akropong, were specifically highlighted during the event as examples of local entities that will benefit from this decentralized system.

The fundamental change in Ghana's mining sector stems from the provisions of the new Mining and Minerals Act. This legislation empowers District Mining Committees to manage the issuance of mining licenses, thereby decentralizing a critical aspect of the Ghana mining license application process. A key innovation under this new act is the mandatory requirement for mining companies to enter into a "Community Development Agreement" with their host communities. This agreement is intended to establish a legally binding framework between the companies and the communities situated within the mining lease areas.

Joseph Anyimiah, the Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, affirmed the Commission's commitment to ensuring that all cooperative mining entities adhere strictly to the regulations outlined in the Mining and Minerals Act. He also reminded these cooperatives of their obligation to allocate a portion of their operational proceeds towards reclamation efforts and the broader development of the communities impacted by their activities. This regulatory oversight underscores the government's intent to foster responsible mining Ghana legislation.

A primary objective behind the new legislative framework and the decentralized licensing approach is to foster responsible mining practices across Ghana. Minister Armah-Kofi Buah specifically urged the newly formed mining cooperatives to operate ethically, guided by their training, and to avoid environmental degradation. He cautioned against any activities that could harm land, water bodies, or the general environment, stressing the importance of remaining within designated concessions and refraining from illegal mining, commonly known as "galamsey."

The Minister articulated that this push for responsible cooperative mining is a strategic effort to replace "galamsey," which has caused extensive damage to Ghana's lands and river systems over the past decade. Joseph Armah Agyekum, the District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, echoed these sentiments, calling for collective action to safeguard the region's land, river bodies, and forest reserves through sustainable mining. Nana Kwasi Kutua V, the Chief of Nkroful, also praised Minister Buah's dedication to rehabilitating degraded natural resources, reinforcing the community's support for these environmental protection initiatives.

Lawyers advising mining companies in Ghana must update their understanding of the licensing process, as applications will now be handled at the district level by District Mining Committees, rather than centrally. They should also be prepared to draft and negotiate "Community Development Agreements" as a new mandatory requirement under the updated Mining and Minerals Act.

Source: Original reporting based on GNA coverage.