Ghana Ministry: rCOMSDEP Operators Must Reserve Earnings for Land Reclamation

• Ghana's Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources has directed small-scale mining cooperatives under rCOMSDEP to reserve a portion of their earnings for land reclamation.
• This new policy aims to restore degraded mining sites and protect the environment, mirroring requirements for larger mining entities.
• The Ministry will monitor production volumes to determine the specific amounts operators must set aside for environmental restoration.
• The directive was issued during the launch of the Ahanta West and Mpohor-Fiase Responsible Cooperative Mines in the Western Region.
• The government intends to register at least 50 certified Responsible Cooperative Mines by the close of 2026.

The Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana has issued a significant directive to operators participating in the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), mandating them to allocate a portion of their earnings specifically for land reclamation.

The Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana has issued a significant directive to operators participating in the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), mandating them to allocate a portion of their earnings specifically for land reclamation. This new policy aims to ensure the restoration of mining sites that have been degraded by operations, thereby safeguarding the environment once mining activities conclude. The requirement places a direct financial responsibility on small-scale miners to address their environmental impact.

This crucial announcement was made by Deputy Minister Dr. Yusif Sulemana during the inauguration of the Ahanta West and Mpohor-Fiase Responsible Cooperative Mines, held in Awunakrom, located within the Western Region. Dr. Sulemana emphasized that these cooperative mining entities are now expected to implement reclamation strategies comparable to those already enforced for large-scale mining corporations. The goal is to guarantee that land utilized for mineral extraction is properly rehabilitated and the surrounding ecosystem is protected.

The directive forms part of a broader government commitment to formalize small-scale mining operations across Ghana, a strategy that the current administration intends to sustain through future leadership changes. The rCOMSDEP initiative, under which this new policy falls, seeks to bring small-scale mining activities conducted outside designated forest reserves into a regulated framework. This formalization is designed to ensure that both host communities and their respective assemblies derive tangible benefits from these operations.

A core objective of the programme is to mitigate issues where individuals from outside local communities engage in mining without adequately contributing to the welfare of the local population. By legitimizing these operations and enforcing adherence to established mining regulations, the Ministry aims to eliminate situations where external parties exploit community resources at the expense of local residents. The launch event in the Western Region marked the second such Responsible Cooperative Mine inaugurated in that region under the program.

Environmental restoration stands as a paramount requirement within the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme. To enforce this, the Ministry for Lands and Natural Resources will actively monitor the production volumes of rCOMSDEP operators. This oversight will enable the Ministry to accurately determine the precise financial reserves that each operator must set aside for reclamation purposes. The policy guidelines explicitly stipulate that funds must be allocated for this environmental rehabilitation, forming a key aspect of Ghana's mining environmental restoration policy.

Furthermore, the Ministry is facilitating connections between these mining cooperatives and the Forestry Commission. This collaboration is intended to provide operators with access to essential resources such as seedlings and other planting materials, directly supporting their land reclamation efforts. The comprehensive approach underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that environmental damage from mining is systematically addressed.

Looking ahead, the Ministry has articulated an ambitious target to register a minimum of 50 certified Responsible Cooperative Mines by the conclusion of 2026. This expansion signifies a concerted effort to scale up the formalization and environmental accountability framework across the nation. The recent launch in the Western Region saw Deputy Minister Dr. Yusif Sulemana officially present registration certificates and operational permits to Charles Ahiati, who is the promoter for the newly established Ahanta West and Mpohor-Fiase Responsible Cooperative Mines.

This particular cooperative is notable as it represents the inaugural joint mining operation encompassing both the Ahanta West and Mpohor-Fiase areas. The Ministry's proactive stance, as evidenced by these developments, reinforces its dedication to fostering responsible mining practices that balance economic activity with environmental stewardship and community benefit.

Lawyers advising small-scale mining cooperatives in Ghana, particularly those under rCOMSDEP, should inform clients of the new policy guideline requiring them to reserve a portion of earnings for land reclamation. Compliance officers must prepare for Ministry monitoring of production volumes to determine the required reclamation reserves and ensure adherence to environmental restoration mandates.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com