Lands Minister Refutes Claims of Issuing Over 1,400 Mining Licenses Since 2022

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has denied allegations that the current government has issued an excessive number of mining licenses, reportedly over 1,400 since late 2022. In an interview with Citi FM on October 8, 2024, Jinapor clarified that the claims are false, and he provided data to support his statement.

Jinapor explained that the process of approving small-scale mining licenses is stringent, requiring six signatures to ensure regulatory compliance. He acknowledged, however, that the slow approval process has been a source of frustration for industry stakeholders, contributing to delays in the growth of the small-scale mining sector.

Addressing concerns about illegal mining (*galamsey*), Jinapor emphasized that granting a mining license does not equate to endorsing illegal activities. He stressed the importance of monitoring licensed operations to prevent illegal practices and highlighted the government’s efforts to regulate the sector and enforce environmental restoration by legal operators.

He called for continued collaboration between civil society, industry players, and the government to promote sustainable mining practices, reaffirming the government’s commitment to responsibly managing Ghana’s mineral resources.