The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has handed over the first Mining Operating Permit under the government’s Responsible Co-operative Mining initiative to the Anwia-Teleku-Bokazu Responsible Co-operative Mining Society Limited in the Ellembelle District.
The symbolic ceremony, held at Anwia, marked the official rollout of the flagship programme aimed at promoting environmentally responsible and community-based mining practices.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said the permit was clear evidence of the government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector through regulation, training and the deployment of modern technology to curb environmental degradation.
“The NDC government is not against mining. President John Dramani Mahama is not against mining, but he is against irresponsible and disruptive mining that destroys our water bodies and forests and kills us,” he said.
He explained that the Responsible Co-operative Mining initiative seeks to organise miners into structured cooperatives, supported with training and modern equipment, to ensure mining activities are conducted sustainably.
“We are not simply launching it, but we will use technology. So that instead of destroying the water bodies, we will help you to retrieve 90 per cent of the gold instead of the 40 per cent you used to destroy the water,” the Minister stated.
Mr Armah-Kofi Buah added that several mining communities across the country had already been identified and would soon benefit from the initiative as part of broader efforts to transform small-scale mining into a regulated, productive and environmentally safe sector.
He said the programme aligns with President Mahama’s vision of balancing economic livelihoods with environmental protection, while ensuring mining contributes meaningfully to local development and national growth.
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