By Felix Cofie
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a 10-member committee tasked with auditing all licenses issued by the Minerals Commission to small-scale miners. The committee’s primary role is to ensure that every license was acquired through due process and continues to meet environmental, legal, and operational standards.
The committee will also verify that all permitting fees have been fully paid and that mining activities comply with regulations on forest reserves, water bodies, and land preservation. Licenses who fail to cooperate with the audit risk revocation of their permits, the Minister cautioned.
“We are determined to bring order to the small-scale mining sector,” Mr. Buah stated. “This audit will help us ensure that all operations are legal, transparent, and environmentally responsible. Any licensee who refuses to go through this process will lose their license.”The committee, chaired by Deputy Minister Yusif Sulemana, has a two-month deadline to complete its work and submit a comprehensive report. According to Mr. Buah, this initiative forms part of the government’s wider plan to sanitize the mining sector and ensure it contributes sustainably to national development.
Mr. Buah also revealed that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation to introduce a new classification for the Small-Scale Mining (SSM) regime, aimed at better regulation and oversight.
Committee Chairman Yusif Sulemana emphasized that the task is not a witch-hunt, but a necessary step to restore public confidence in the licensing regime.
“This is not a fault-finding mission,” Mr. Sulemana clarified. “We have received numerous complaints about irregularities in license issuance. Our goal is to assess the situation and provide support, not punishment.”He also warned against individuals claiming to represent the committee for personal gain, stressing that no one has been contracted to act on behalf of the committee.
The formation of the committee marks a decisive step in the government’s efforts to promote transparency, environmental sustainability, and responsible mining, while protecting communities and natural resources from the negative impacts of illegal and unregulated activities.
Stakeholders, including licensed miners, have been urged to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure a smooth and credible auditing process.
