Ghana mining and offshore exploration disputes

The Ghanaian mining sector is experiencing regulatory and legal friction regarding both terrestrial and offshore activities. Gold Fields Ghana Limited has initiated a judicial review in the High Court to challenge a directive from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), arguing the regulator lacks the statutory power to mandate a comprehensive environmental and socio-economic assessment of its Tarkwa mine.

Simultaneously, the granting of ten contiguous Offshore Reconnaissance Licenses to Gold Coast Resource Corp has sparked significant opposition. These licenses cover approximately 10,000 square kilometers along the western offshore continental shelf, spanning 300 kilometers of coastline from Half Assini to Winneba.

The Fisheries Commission has formally protested these licenses, claiming they were developed from a terrestrial perspective without sufficient regard for the marine environment or coastal livelihoods. Additionally, a coalition of eleven civil society organizations has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to review these activities, citing potential threats to biodiversity, food security, and human rights within the Inshore Exclusion Zone.