Lands Minister tasks 9-member committee to audit small-scale mining licenses

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has inaugurated a new committee. This nine-member Small-Scale Mining License Review Committee will audit all small-scale mining licenses.

The committee is chaired by Mr. Sulemana Yusif, the Deputy Minister. Its job is to review licenses for compliance with legal, environmental, and financial regulations.

Key areas of focus include license acquisition processes and environmental standards. The committee will also check if licensing fees have been fully paid.

During the inauguration in Accra, the Minister highlighted the committee’s important role. He said it would help clean up the small-scale mining sector and ensure sustainable benefits for Ghana.

“Your work will expose irregularities in licensing,” he stated. He also mentioned being open to extending the two-month review period if necessary.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Yusif assured a thorough and fair review process within two months. “We recognize the trust placed in us,” he said. He emphasized transparency to boost investor confidence and urged license holders to cooperate fully.

Committee members include experts from various organizations like the Ministry of Environment and Minerals Commission. They also represent the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and other relevant bodies.

The Committee is expected to submit its final report by June this year. This initiative marks an important step in regulating small-scale mining in Ghana and combating illegal operations.