Ghana small-scale mining formalization initiative

The Government of Ghana has introduced the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) to formalize small-scale mining operations, particularly in the Western Region. The initiative aims to transition informal artisanal miners into legally recognized cooperatives through registration and certification by the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency.

In the Western Region, including areas such as Ahanta West, Mpohor Fiase, and Nzema East, the program focuses on community-based legal operations rather than mere enforcement. This strategy includes the adoption of modern mineral-processing technologies to reduce the use of mercury and cyanide, alongside environmental restoration efforts like the ‘Tree for Life Initiative’.

In the Ellembelle District, specifically in Nkroful, the government has launched five specific cooperatives: Salman, Atomic, Asanta, Bomoakpole, and Akropong. These entities were officially inaugurated by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. The cooperatives are tasked with extracting gold while adhering to strict regulatory frameworks designed to protect rivers, farmland, and degraded land.

Recent developments indicate growing friction within the sector. While President John Mahama has commended the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) for increasing gold exports—noting the sector generated $10.8 billion in 2025—the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has accused the government of inadvertently fueling illegal mining, or ‘galamsey’. The GNASSM claims a three-year freeze on legitimate mining permits has created administrative bottlenecks that force local miners into illegality while non-local entities continue to secure permits.